A shocking act of violence broke out at a prestigious university in the historic city of Prague on Thursday, leaving at least 15 people dead and others injured. Charles University, founded in 1348 and the oldest university in Central Europe, became the site of the Czech Republic’s deadliest shooting attack since the country gained independence in 1993.
Around noon local time, a lone gunman opened fire on staff and students at the university’s arts faculty building in the Letná neighborhood of Prague. Police said the perpetrator was a student enrolled at the university. The shooter was “eliminated” by law enforcement during their response to the active attack, authorities stated.
In the aftermath, emergency services swiftly evacuated the building and urged residents nearby not to leave their homes as the situation continued to develop. Photos emerging from the area showed students hugging each other, visibly distraught, as police guided them away from the area.
President Petr Pavel addressed the nation in a televised statement, offering his “deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims.” He continued, “This is a shock to our nation. An attack on any school is an attack on our very future.”
Information remains limited in these early hours as police continue their investigation into the shooting, now the deadliest ever to occur in the Czech Republic as an independent nation. The attack marks an exceedingly rare incident of gun violence for the country, which has relatively strict firearms regulations compared to many other nations.
Charles University Rector Milena Kralickova also provided remarks, saying classes would be suspended for the remainder of Thursday and all of Friday. “This is a pain that will take long to heal for our community,” she said. “In this difficult time, we must come together and care for our students, faculty and staff.”
The university plans to offer counseling services and has established emergency contacts for anyone seeking information about loved ones who may have been present during the tragedy.
Charles University traces its roots back to 1347, earning a reputation as one of Europe’s most prestigious academic institutions over the past seven centuries. Alumni include famous thinkers such as Albert Einstein and Kim Campbell, the first female prime minister of Canada.
Located in the heart of Prague, the university welcomes over 50,000 students each year from across Czech Republic and abroad. It houses one of the largest libraries on the continent with over 6 million volumes in its collection.
As the close-knit city of Prague grapples with an act of brutality infringing upon its iconic university, the nation stands in mourning for the loss of life. In the aftermath, the focus turns to supporting the survivors as initial shock gives way to grief.
