Gunman Opens Fire at Turkish High School
Gunmen opening fire from a distance at a high school in southeastern Turkey have wounded at least 16 individuals. The incidents happened in the Siverek district of Şanlıurfa province where a former student entered the high school and shot his fellow students using a shotgun.
Attack Unfolds Rapidly
According to the local authorities, the alleged gunman, who was estimated to be either 18 or 19 years old, shot at his first targets in the school playground before moving into the school building to continue shooting.
The witnesses described a scene of pandemonium and chaos which ensued after the school staff and students ran away from the gunmen, with some jumping through windows in an attempt to avoid being hit by bullets.
Victims Include Students and Staff
It was further established that no less than 16 people had been victimized during the attack, 10 of whom were students, four teachers, one policeman, and another an attendant in the school’s canteen.
First aid and other necessary treatment were administered immediately to the victims, either on site or after they were taken to different hospitals. While the exact magnitude of the injuries sustained has yet to be ascertained, a source indicated that one of the teachers involved was critically hurt.
Gunman Dies at the Scene
The individual died during the incident because he turned the gun on himself as the officers closed in around him. This individual had no prior criminal background, and based on the preliminary information gathered by the sources, it may have just been a random act of violence.
The individual who carried out this act of violence might have even been a student of the institution before, and he may have posted threats on social media before the shooting incident.
Investigation Underway
An investigation is currently taking place concerning this incident to determine whether there were any foreseeable events or actions that should have been taken before this occurred. As reported by Governor Hasan Şıldak, who is based in the Elazig province, such an occurrence is rare in Turkey.
This incident has brought forth many issues relating to the safety of students in schools and youth violence in the region.
By David Loran Jr
A successful Editor-in-Chief, journalist for over 6 years, writing about important topics that are going on within the U.S. and beyond
Sources:
CNN News: Gunman opens fire at high school in Turkey, wounding at least 16
Featured Image Courtesy of Kevin Burden‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Video Courtesy of Associated Press on Youtube
