Police in the Czech Republic reported Friday that they had identified 11 of the 14 fatalities in Thursday's shooting at Charles University. Local media later raised the number to 13, according to EFE, which also reported that three of them are foreign nationals.
The university's Institute of Musicology confirmed that its director, Lenka Hlávková, died during the attack:
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Local media identified the shooter as David Kozak, a 24-year-old student. The attacker, also according to local sources, allegedly committed suicide after being hit by a bullet. Although the police did not confirm this information, they did confirm that the attacker died during the assault.
The director of the police force, Martin Vondrasek, explained that they were looking for the young man before the massacre at the educational institution, after his father was found dead. For his part, Interior Minister Vít Rakusan reported that they were also investigating whether the attacker was responsible for a double murder in the Klánovickém forest.
Policie zřejmě včasným zásahem zabránila ještě daleko tragičtějšímu průběhu dnešního masakru na FFUK. V budově fakulty bylo objeveno větší množství zbraní a střeliva. Policie pracuje s verzí, že útočník z FFUK má na svědomí také dvojnásobnou vraždu v Klánovickém lese, tedy…
— Vít Rakušan (@Vit_Rakusan) December 21, 2023
The attack
The shooting occurred in a central area of Prague, Czech Republic, at Charles University, located in Jan Palach Square, according to Prague emergency services in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter):
FF UK shooting: 11 people killed including attacker, 9 seriously injured, 5-6 seriously injured Wednesday, up to 10 lightly injured. Figures subject to change.
Střelba na FF UK: 11 mrtvých osob včetně útočníka, 9 vážně zraněných, 5-6 středě vážně zraněných, do 10 lehce zraněných. Počty se ještě mohou měnit.
— ZZS HMP (@zzshmp) December 21, 2023
Through X, authorities had asked citizens not to go out on the street or approach the scene while they continued to explore the surroundings and assess the damage.
Citizens are urged not to linger in the vicinity and not to leave their homes. The police intervention is still ongoing.
Vyzýváme občany, aby se v blízkém okolí nezdržovali a nevycházeli z domu. Zásah policie stále pokračuje. pic.twitter.com/OHnSsq4G5f
— Policie ČR (@PolicieCZ) December 21, 2023
Hours later, the Czech Republic Police, which was promptly reporting every update related to the shooting, assured that "the shooter has been eliminated." In addition, they highlighted that they had evacuated and closed the building where the incident occurred while they investigated the surroundings in search of possible explosive devices:
The shooter has been eliminated!!! The entire building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens of injured.
Střelec byl eliminován !!! Celá budova je v současné chvíli evakuována a na místě je několik mrtvých a desítky raněných.
— Policie ČR (@PolicieCZ) December 21, 2023
Witnesses recount their experience during the Prague shooting
A British-Australian man who was staying in an apartment near where the incident took place, Targ Patience, explained to the BBC that he heard "a lot of gunshots": "I looked out of my balcony and saw the police arrive. A few officers were having a hard time stopping people walking towards the scene," he said.
Minutes later, an email sent to staff at Charles University's philosophy faculty, which was accessed by Reuters, warned teachers and students of the shooting: "Stay still, don't go anywhere, if you're in the offices, lock them and place furniture in front of the door, turn off the lights."
Some images of the shooting shared on social media showed the perpetrator moving around as while some Charles University students were seen climbing onto a balcony trying to hide:
Petr Fiala, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, sent a statement in which he reported that he had canceled his upcoming events in light of the "tragic events" while sending his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims:
Due to the tragic events that occurred at the Faculty of Philosophy in Prague, I have canceled my work program in Olomouc and I am returning to Prague. I am in contact with the Minister of the Interior and the Czech police. I ask all citizens to respect the recommendations of the emergency services.
Vzhledem k tragickým událostem na pražské filozofické fakultě jsem zrušil pracovní program na Olomoucku a jedu zpět do Prahy. Jsem v kontaktu s ministrem vnitra a PČR. Prosím všechny občany, aby respektovali doporučení složek IZS.
— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) December 21, 2023
I deeply regret the death of all the victims of the unjustifiable attack on the Faculty of Letters of the Carolina University. I express my deepest condolences to his loved ones and friends.
Je mi nesmírně líto všech, kteří se stali obětí ničím neospravedlnitelného útoku na Filozofické fakultě UK. Vyjadřuji nejhlubší soustrast jejich blízkým a přátelům.
— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) December 21, 2023
A day of mourning
Police announced preventive measures, reinforcing security in strategic areas -such as schools-, monitoring social networks and asking citizens to contact security forces in case of suspicions of similar attacks.
The Czech government decreed Saturday as a day of mourning and asked citizens not to spread rumors about the attacker.
Máme za sebou jeden z nejstrašnějších dní novodobé historie Česka. A čeká nás probuzení do neradostného dne, neradostných dní. Vláda dnes rozhodla o tom, že sdílený smutek nad dnešními událostmi vyjádříme 23. 12. státním smutkem. Potřebujeme teď mimo jiné sounáležitost,… pic.twitter.com/HNelP61vFH
— Vít Rakušan (@Vit_Rakusan) December 21, 2023
Charles University issued a statement lamenting Thursday's events and offering psychological counseling to its students and employees. It also announced a collection campaign to assist the families of the deceased.
Vyjádření Univerzity Karlovy ke střelbě na Filozofické fakultě UK
Vážené kolegyně, vážení kolegové,
vážené studentky, vážení studenti,v souvislosti s tragickými událostmi, které se dnes udály na Filozofické fakultě Univerzity Karlovy a které měly za následek řadu ztracených a… pic.twitter.com/8YJi2NhxxE
— Univerzita Karlova (@UniKarlova) December 21, 2023
