Prague at a standstill to recollect the 14 victims of crazed gunman
Prague got here to a standstill at midday to recollect the 14 victims of crazed gunman within the Czech Republic’s worst-ever mass killing.
As a part of a nationwide day of mourning the nation noticed a minute’s silence – remembering these misplaced through the bloodshed within the philosophy division constructing of Charles University, the place the shooter was a pupil.
National flags on public buildings had been flown at half-mast and bells tolled at midday, whereas a Mass at St Vitus cathedral in Prague, the largest within the nation, celebrated the victims.
President Petr Pavel and audio system of each homes of parliament attended the service which was open to everybody.
‘We’re all nonetheless in a shock in our personal methods,’ Prague archbishop Jan Graubner stated. ‘We want to obviously condemn what occurred however we additionally have to look into the longer term.’
As a part of a nationwide day of mourning the nation noticed a minute’s silence – remembering these misplaced through the bloodshed within the philosophy division constructing of Charles University, the place the shooter was a pupil. Pictured: A girl mourns outdoors Charles University
First-year pupil Lucie Spindlerova was among the many victims, stated the Lidove Noviny day by day, the place she additionally labored
The college confirmed two workers members had been amongst them, together with the top of the Institute of Music Sciences, Lenka Hlavkova, pictured
A toddler locations a candle at a makeshift memorial for the the victims of the Charles University’s capturing, outdoors the Charles University in central Prague
Prague archbishop Jan Graubner (pictured on the memorial service) stated the nation was ‘nonetheless in shock’ from the capturing
‘Nobody ought to be left alone in these robust moments,’ Charles University rector Milena Kralickova stated in her remarks in the direction of the top of the Mass.
The capturing on the college’s Faculty of Arts on Thursday killed 14 individuals.
The capturing within the coronary heart of the Czech capital additionally wounded 25 individuals earlier than the gunman killed himself.
Similar non secular companies had been held in different cities and cities, whereas Christmas markets in quite a lot of locations had been closed or in the reduction of amid boosted safety measures.
Police and prosecutors stated they’ve proof that the 24-year-old had killed his father earlier within the day and a person and a child in Prague final week.
A sea of candles was shining at an impromptu memorial for the victims in entrance of the college headquarters.
‘It’s been a horrible expertise for us all however it nonetheless cannot be in contrast with what the victims needed to expertise on the time of the assault and what their pricey ones need to expertise now,’ stated Senate speaker Milos Vystrcil, a kind of who got here to mild a candle.
‘I feel that to assist them at this level we specific our help and that is what we’re all doing now.’
David Kozak, 24, described as a mannequin pupil, killed 14 individuals and injured 25 through the lethal rampage by which he focused college students and vacationers from the balcony of the Charles University’s philosophy constructing
Young individuals depart a candle outdoors the headquarters of Charles University in downtown Prague
A person locations a candle within the sq. by college buildings, because the nation observes a nationwide mourning day
People flood the sq. outdoors Charles University with candles and flowers at a makeshift memorial
Flowers and candles cowl the ground outdoors the tragic University, the place 14 had been killed
The names of the 14 individuals who died are slowly being launched. The college confirmed two workers members had been amongst them, together with the top of the Institute of Music Sciences, Lenka Hlavkova.
First-year pupil Lucie Spindlerova was one other, stated the Lidove Noviny day by day, the place she additionally labored.
Among the opposite college students had been Aneta Richterova, in line with her group of volunteer firefighters within the city of Helichovky; Klara Holcova, 20, a proficient shot putter who gained 9 medals at nationwide championships, the Czech athletics affiliation stated; and Magdalena Kristkova, who was from Roztoky.
The gunman was a Czech pupil on the Faculty of Arts, David Kozak, 24.
Investigators don’t suspect a hyperlink to any extremist ideology or teams. Officials stated they believed he acted alone, however his motive will not be but clear.
Previously, the nation’s worst mass capturing was in 2015, when a gunman opened hearth within the southeastern city of Uhersky Brod, killing eight earlier than fatally capturing himself.
Reports of the assault beganat round 2.30pm native time (1.30pm GMT), with experiences of an energetic shooter at Charles University within the centre of town.
But this got here after Czech police obtained info at 12.45pm of a person who had been killed within the village of Hostouň, who is known to be the shooter’s father.
A mom and her baby place a candle at a makeshift memorial for the the victims of the Charles University’s capturing
Crowds collect to pay their respects for the capturing victims through the nationwide day of mourning
Pictures are scattered between the glowing lights outdoors the University constructing
A person locations a candle within the sq. by college buildings as he pays his respects
Videos emerged on-line displaying individuals fleeing the University’s Faculty of Arts constructing and throughout the close by, world-famous Charles Bridge.
The philosophy division of Charles University, which is situated on Jan Palach Square within the metropolis’s outdated city, was evacuated as police responded.
The police division stated the sq. – which sits on the Vltava River – had been sealed off. It urged individuals to go away the encircling streets and keep inside.
Meanwhile, college students barricaded themselves in school rooms. Witnesses stated on social media they might hear photographs each inside and out of doors the constructing.
A college member of the college, Zora Hesova, stated individuals had been locked in school rooms contained in the constructing as armed law enforcement officials descended on the scene.
He stated the shooter was on the fourth flooring, whereas many individuals had been barricaded on the second flooring of the constructing.
Others had been seen clinging on to windowsills on the skin of the five-storey constructing having climbed by home windows because the shooter opened hearth from the roof.
Pictures of the shooters confirmed him holding a sniper rifle with a scope mounted on high. Nedoma stated the shooter ultimately stopped firing and threw the gun down onto the road under and put his palms up as an indication of give up.
Police later stated that the gunman’s physique was discovered on the pavement under.
‘At 3.20pm, info was obtained that the physique of the shooter was discovered on the sidewalk of the varsity constructing,’ police stated in an announcement.
‘We came upon that he’s a pupil on the Faculty of Philosophy and that he’s supposed to offer a lecture immediately at 2pm within the constructing in Celetná Street.’
‘Due to the devastating damage sustained by the suspect, we’re unable to verify his identification,’ stated police spokesman Martin Vondráček.
It was later reported that the shooter had killed his father earlier within the day.
