Two consecutive school shootings occurred in Türkiye

Mukerrem Unluer, leader of Kahramanmaras province, southeastern Türkiye, said on April 15 that an 8th grade student brought 5 guns and 7 magazines in a backpack to school in Onikisubat district. This male student then entered two classes of 5th grade students and opened fire indiscriminately, causing casualties.

The Turkish Interior Ministry said the shooting left at least 9 people, including students and teachers, dead, and at least 13 injured, of which 3 were critically ill. The suspect also died during the chaos.

The guns this male student brought to school to commit the crime are believed to belong to his father, a former police officer. The motive for the shooting has not been clarified.

In Türkiye, 8th grade students are usually 13-14 years old, while 5th grade students are about 10-11 years old.

Witnesses described hearing rapid gunfire ring out in the school. Video on social media showed some students jumping from second-floor windows to the ground.

This is the second shooting incident in two consecutive days in Türkiye. On April 14, a former student opened fire at a high school in Siverek district, Sanliurfa province, southeastern Türkiye, injuring at least 16 people, before shooting himself.

School shootings are rare in Türkiye, a country with strict gun control policies. Any illegal possession, carrying or import of firearms in Türkiye can result in a prison sentence instead of just an administrative fine.