Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala responded to a mass shooting at the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in Prague by expressing that the tragic incident was “not the work of terrorists.” The shooting left more than 14 dead and 24 wounded. Authorities explained that the 24-year-old student believed to be the attacker was inspired by a similarly violent event in Russia. Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan described the shooting as “an unprecedentedly insane act that the Czech Republic has never seen in its history.”
According to Police President Martin Vondrášek, investigators found a significant arsenal of weapons and ammunition in the faculty building. He emphasized that the quick intervention by police prevented the number of victims from being significantly higher. Prime Minister Fiala, assured by security forces that the situation was under control, stated that there was no danger to citizens.
Investigators continued to look into the possibility that the shooter was influenced by a previous terrorist act committed in Russia. Police suspects the young man of murdering his father and are working with the theory that the shooter is also suspected of killing a man and an infant in the Klánovický Forest. Additionally, police are investigating a device that resembles an explosive device at a location in Kladno and have cordoned off the area.
Czech President Petr Pavel expressed his deep regret and heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of the victims. He announced his immediate plans to meet with the state security forces. The mayor of Prague, Bohuslav Svoboda assured citizens that they are safe. He expressed his deepest condolences and emphasized the horror of the event. Political leaders across Europe, from Hungarian head of government Viktor Orbán to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, expressed their condolences and shock at the violence.