In Prague’s downtown, a mass shooting resulted in over 15 fatalities and left at least 24 injured. Police say the suspect is now deceased. Czech police and rescue services, who responded to the incident, have not linked it to international terrorism.
The attack occurred near a school in Jan Palach Square, prompting an immediate police response. Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda confirmed the evacuation of Charles University’s philosophy department in the square. The area was cordoned off, with authorities urging people to stay indoors and avoid nearby streets.
Social media images depicted a man in black on a balcony, holding a rifle with a scope. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan confirmed no additional attackers were involved and called for public cooperation with the police investigation.
🇨🇿 Terrible scenes out of Prague.
— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) December 21, 2023
11 dead, 24 injured.
RIP to all the victims ♥️🕊️
Some students hid on ledges on the top of the university to hide from the shooter.
The killer has committed suicide. pic.twitter.com/OsnaJldVDz
Students hiding from a killer during a shooting at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, earlier today.
— Mrgunsngear (@Mrgunsngear) December 21, 2023
*reportedly* at least 11 people have been killed but the story is breaking so details may very well change…#prague #CzechRepublic pic.twitter.com/P6OYKjiIyW
Pavel Nedoma, director of the Rudolfinum Gallery in the square, described seeing the shooter fire from a window towards the Manes bridge over the Vltava River.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 21, 2023
Reports of many killed in a mass-shooting at the Charles University of Prague, Czechia.
The pictures below show the shooter of the roof of the building and students trying to hide from him on a ledge high up in the air. pic.twitter.com/9K0ibvudGP
Following the incident, Prime Minister Petr Fiala cancelled his engagements to address the situation. Meanwhile, Central Bohemian police are searching for a young man connected to another violent death in the area, which may be related to the university shooting, according to the Czech news agency ČTK.
This is a developing story.
