15-Year-Old Student Injures 11 in Shooting Outside Turkish High School
A 15-year-old student injured 11 people in a shooting outside a vocational high school in western Turkey, marking the third such school incident since April.
A 15-year-old student opened fire outside a high school in western Turkey, injuring 11 people before being apprehended by authorities. The incident marks the third school shooting carried out by minors in the country since April, intensifying pressure on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government to take decisive action against gun violence.
Details of the Shooting in Manisa
The attack took place at approximately 8:00 AM local time outside a vocational and technical high school in the Turgutlu district of Manisa province. According to reports from the HaberTurk news channel, the assailant was a student at the institution who used a hunting rifle belonging to his grandfather. He fired indiscriminately near the school premises before attempting to flee on foot.
Footage shared on social media captured the suspect walking with the weapon in hand and later running through nearby streets. In the aftermath, anxious parents rushed to the scene, leading to minor clashes with police officers who secured the perimeter.
"When it comes to the safety of our children, negligence or irresponsibility cannot be overlooked under any circumstances," stated Justice Minister Akin Gurlek on X.
Investigation and Broader Context
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that two chief prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the case, including allegations that the student had been subjected to bullying. The suspect's parents and his grandfather, who owned the firearm, have been detained as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Turkey has historically experienced very few mass shootings, particularly in educational settings. However, recent months have seen a troubling surge in such incidents. In April, 16 people were injured when a former student opened fire at a high school in Sanliurfa before taking his own life. Just a day later, a 14-year-old student killed eight students and a teacher in Kahramanmaras.
Following these tragedies, President Erdogan pledged to tighten gun control regulations, restrict civilian firearm ownership, and impose harsher penalties for owners who fail to store weapons securely.
