In a harrowing event at Prague's prestigious university, a gunman claimed the lives of 14 individuals and inflicted injuries on 25 others. This tragedy stands as the Czech Republic's most devastating mass shooting in several decades.

On Thursday, this grave incident unfolded at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, where a 24-year-old assailant, suspected to have taken his own life, was involved. Czech Police Chief Martin Vondrášek disclosed this assumption in a briefing on Thursday evening, though he cautioned that this hypothesis is yet to be conclusively verified. The gunman, reportedly a student of the Faculty of Arts at Charles University, has remained unidentified due to the extent of his injuries, according to the chief's statement. His identity has not been publicly disclosed.

The motive behind this violent spree is currently under investigation. The shooting occurred within the premises of the Faculty of Arts building of Charles University, located in the heart of Prague. This area, renowned for its tourist appeal, is situated near major city attractions and just a short distance across the Vltava River from the iconic Prague Castle. The police chief revealed that the shooter had traveled from his native village of Hostouň to Prague to carry out the attack.

As the incident escalated, students within the university took desperate measures for safety. Many of them locked themselves in classrooms, seeking shelter from the relentless gunfire. Social media platforms have been abuzz with a particularly striking image showing several individuals huddled on an external ledge of a building, high above the ground, in a bid to evade the shooter.

At the time of the shooting, the university was conducting regular classes and was gearing up for the upcoming Christmas break, scheduled to start on December 23, according to the university's academic calendar. The attack has cast a shadow over the institution, leading to an atmosphere of shock and grief among students and faculty alike.

In an interview with CNN, graduate student Jakob Weizman shared his experience during the incident. He was with his professor in a classroom when they suddenly heard noises that resembled gunshots and screams. Reacting quickly, the 25-year-old and his professor took measures to secure the room, pushing furniture against the door to form a barricade.

Weizman described his immediate actions, saying, “After I made the barricade and locked the door, I hid under the desk and I was preparing myself for anything that could happen. I did not know if (the shooter) was going to come through the door or from the window.”

It was only when the police arrived that Weizman felt safe to remove the barricade. He recounted how the authorities guided him out of the building. During this harrowing exit, he observed a chilling scene - blood was visible on each floor. Reflecting on these moments, Weizman told CNN, “It was very traumatizing.” His account highlights not only the chaos and fear during the shooting but also the deep psychological impact such events can have on survivors.

During a press briefing on Thursday night, Police Chief Martin Vondrášek updated the casualty figures from the university tragedy, lowering the death toll to 14 from an earlier count of 15. He also reported that out of the 25 individuals injured, 10 were in a critical condition.

An additional briefing by the authorities is anticipated on Friday morning.

Shooter May Be Linked to Other Killings

Chief Vondrášek revealed that the police had prior knowledge about the assailant before the university incident. They had received information indicating that he was heading to Prague with an intention to commit suicide.

Subsequent to this tip, the police were alerted about the discovery of a deceased man in Hostouň, a town approximately 13 miles (21 kilometers) west of Prague. This individual is believed to be the father of the shooter.

Vondrášek detailed that the police were aware of a scheduled lecture by the shooter at 2 p.m. CET and had evacuated the specific building where it was supposed to occur. However, the situation escalated when they received reports of a shooting in another building.

Additionally, Czech authorities are investigating the possibility that the gunman is linked to a double homicide in Klanovice, a suburb of Prague, that took place last week. The police are conducting an extensive investigation into this case, Vondrášek emphasized.

Regarding the shooter's access to firearms, Vondrášek stated that he was a licensed gun owner and possessed several weapons. This information adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation and raises questions about gun ownership and public safety.

Country Declares Day of Mourning

In response to the tragic event, the Czech Republic is set to honor those who lost their lives by observing a day of mourning on Saturday. This decision was announced at a late Thursday news conference by national officials.

During the conference, Czech President Petr Pavel conveyed his profound grief and frustration at the loss. "I want to express my deep sadness and also helpless anger over the loss of so many young lives,” he stated.

President Pavel described the massacre as "the most tragic incident in the history of the Czech Republic.”

To commemorate the day of mourning, the country will lower its flags to half-staff. Additionally, a nationwide minute of silence is scheduled for noon on Saturday. In a further gesture of remembrance and respect, bells will ring out across the nation for those who fell victim to the attack, as announced by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Earlier statements from Prime Minister Fiala indicated that authorities regard the shooting as an isolated incident, assuring that there is no further threat to public safety. Interior Minister Vít Rakušan also clarified that the shooting is not being treated as an act of terrorism. This day of mourning and these statements reflect the country's collective mourning and the government's efforts to provide clarity and reassurance in the aftermath of the tragedy.

In a somber recollection of past incidents, December 2019 witnessed a tragic event where a 42-year-old man took the lives of six individuals in a hospital waiting room in Ostrava, located in the eastern part of the country. This assailant subsequently turned the gun on himself. This incident marked a dark day in the nation's history.

Similarly, in 2015, another grievous event occurred when a man embarked on a shooting spree in a restaurant in Uhersky Brod. In this attack, eight people tragically lost their lives before the shooter ended his own life. These incidents serve as stark reminders of the rare but devastating acts of violence that have occurred in the country, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and discussions around public safety and gun control.

Prague shooting latest: Charles University gunman linked to forest murders last week

Authorities have identified the gunman as a 24-year-old student from Charles University, the very institution where the shooting spree occurred. It was disclosed that he possessed firearms legally and had earlier that day taken the life of his father.

As the chaos unfolded, many people were seen fleeing from the scene in panic. A particularly harrowing sight involved eight students who found themselves perched on a ledge high up on the building's exterior, hiding in sheer terror.

An eyewitness reported observing the perpetrator on a balcony, discharging his weapon in the direction of a bridge. The incident took place in Jan Palach Square, an area near Prague's old town known for its popularity with tourists, especially during the Christmas season.

The gunman's death was also confirmed, though the circumstances—whether he committed suicide or was shot by law enforcement—remain unclear.

Investigative teams are expected to continue their work at the scene of the crime throughout the night. They are currently scrutinizing a Telegram account that may be associated with the gunman.

This horrific event has been recorded as the deadliest mass shooting in the history of the Czech Republic, marking a somber milestone in the nation's history.

Authorities Probing Links to Russian-Language Telegram Posts

The Czech Republic's law enforcement agencies are currently investigating a possible link between a series of aggressive and profanity-filled messages in Russian on Telegram and the individual responsible for the recent university shooting. This connection was confirmed by the nation's police chief.

These Telegram messages, posted by a specific user, suggest that the university shooting may have been influenced by two prior mass shootings in Russia. The first incident occurred earlier this month at a school in Bryansk, near the Ukraine border, and the second happened in 2021 in Kazan, the capital of the Tatarstan region in Russia.

A particularly disturbing message shared on 10 December read, “I was very inspired by Alina … very much.” This was posted just three days after a 14-year-old Russian girl, Alina Afanaskina, attacked her classmates with gunfire.

The tragic outcome of this shooting was the death of two students. The Telegram message chillingly added, “She certainly did not kill enough. I will try to fix that.”

Another message from the same user revealed a deeper insight into their mindset: “I always wanted to kill. I thought I would be a maniac in the future.” These messages provide a disturbing glimpse into the possible motivations behind the recent tragic event at the university and are a focal point of the ongoing investigation.

Shooter Confirmed Dead

The individual responsible for the recent shooting, a 24-year-old world history student at the university, has been officially confirmed deceased.

This gunman, originating from Hostouň in central Bohemia, sustained "devastating injuries," as stated by Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek. Vondrasek further mentioned that there is no evidence to indicate the involvement of an accomplice in the incident.

The shooter was a registered owner of multiple firearms. According to police reports, he was heavily armed with substantial ammunition during the attack on Thursday. Vondrasek characterized the shooter's actions as "well thought out, a horrible act."

It is presumed that the gunman ended his own life, although police have indicated that further inquiries are necessary to ascertain the precise cause of death.

Chief Vondrasek described the shooter as a student with excellent academic credentials and no prior criminal history. However, he refrained from disclosing any additional details regarding the shooter's identity. This development adds another layer to the unfolding narrative of the tragic event, as authorities continue to piece together the circumstances leading up to it.