EXPLAINER

A gunman killed 14 people and injured 25 in the Czech Republic’s deadliest shooting.

The Czech Republic is in a state of mourning following a tragic shooting incident in the capital city of Prague. The global community has expressed their condolences, and the police have heightened security measures in schools and other public facilities.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the shooting:

When and Where Did the Shooting Occur?

The shooting took place on Thursday at 3pm (14:00 GMT) at the Faculty of Arts within Charles University, located in Prague’s Old Town. The university is situated in a bustling tourist area near renowned landmarks such as the Charles Bridge, dating back to the 14th century.

The assailant targeted the fourth floor of the philosophy department building, which stands close to the Vltava river in Jan Palach Square.

killed-and-injured”>How Many People Lost Their Lives and Were Injured?

Before perpetrating the rampage in the Czech capital, the gunman first shot and killed his father in his hometown of Hostoun, just west of Prague. Subsequently, he proceeded to take the lives of 14 more individuals, leaving 25 others injured. Among the injured, three are foreign nationals from Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, according to authorities.

At present, 13 of the deceased victims have been identified, although officials have cautioned that the death toll may increase as the investigation progresses.

This tragic incident marks the Czech Republic’s deadliest mass shooting in its history. Prior to this, the nation’s most severe mass shooting occurred in 2015 in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including the shooter who later took his own life.

Who was the Gunman at Charles University?

The alleged perpetrator has been identified as 24-year-old David Kozak, a student enrolled at the university. Authorities have revealed that he was an accomplished student without any previous criminal record.

However, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek later disclosed that based on a search of Kozak’s residence, the suspect was also suspected of being involved in the killing of a man and his two-month-old daughter in Prague on December 15.

Kozak was pronounced dead at the scene, as stated by the interior minister. Authorities are currently investigating whether he was killed by law enforcement or if he died by suicide.

According to the police, the shooting was premeditated. They have indicated that they obtained “unconfirmed information from a social network account suggesting that he was potentially influenced” by a mass shooting incident that occurred in Russia earlier this year.

Following a search of Kozak’s residence, the police confirmed that he legally possessed multiple firearms and was armed during the attack.

What are the Gun Laws in the Czech Republic?

The Czech Republic’s firearms legislation acknowledges the right of individuals to “acquire, keep, and bear firearms.” In 2021, a constitutional amendment was enacted to legally safeguard the right to self-defense using firearms, both for personal protection and the defense of others.

To obtain a gun license, individuals must undergo a series of requirements, including safe-handling training and testing.