A 17-year-old former student opened fire with a shotgun at the Anatolia Technical Institute in Turkey, wounding 16 people before taking his own life. The attack occurred in the Siverek district of the Şanlıurfa province, near the border with Syria.
The gunman entered the school through the main entrance during the early morning hours. He carried a large-caliber weapon and targeted individuals as he moved through the campus.
One teacher remains in critical condition following the shooting. Local media reports indicate that the attacker was cornered by police before committing suicide.
Chaos at the institute
The assailant, who had previously studied at the institute for several years, targeted people in his path. The suddenness of the attack caused immediate panic among the students and staff.
A witness recounted the scene to the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet. "He ran directly toward the school and shot at everyone who crossed his path," the witness said.
The witness described a scene of mass flight as the gunfire began. "Students screamed and everyone fled in terror," the witness told the publication.
The incident has shocked the Turkish public. Armed attacks within schools are highly infrequent in the country, making the brutality of the event particularly unexpected for the local community.
