An armed assailant opened fire in the philosophy department building at Charles University in downtown Prague, resulting in at least 15 fatalities. Statements from Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek and the city’s rescue service confirmed this on Thursday.
Although the assailant’s name remains undisclosed, the shooter was identified as a student at the university.
Details about the victims and the shooter’s motive are also yet to be disclosed by the police.
Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan stated that investigators do not suspect any connection to extremist ideologies or groups.
Eyewitness Pavel Nedoma, director of the nearby Rudolfinum Gallery, described seeing a person on a balcony of the university building firing a gun. Police, still searching the area, including the balcony, are also investigating for possible explosives. The building has been evacuated, as confirmed by Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda.
Situated near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square, the building offers a view of Prague Castle, the Czech presidency’s seat. President Petr Pavel expressed shock over the incident and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
The iconic scene, typically enjoyed by tourists and students, transformed into chaos and terror on Thursday afternoon. Police vehicles and ambulances raced across the bridge, responding to the sealed-off square, where video footage captured evacuations and people seeking shelter.
