Prague shooting latest: Bells rung across Czech Republic as nation mourns 14 dead in university attack

Gunman behind Thursday’s mass shooting identified as 24-year-old David Kozak

Moment armed police storm Prague university after shooting captured in bodycam footage

Bells rang across the Czech Republic and the national flags on public buildings were at half-staff as people across the country observed a minute of silence to honor the 14 victims of the worst mass killing in Czech history.

Archbishop Jan Graubner served a mass at the main St Vitus cathedral at the Prague Castle. “We’re all still in a shock in our own ways,” the archbishop said, adding: “We need to clearly condemn what happened but we also need to look into the future.”

“Nobody should be left alone in these tough moments,” Charles University rector Milena Kralickova said in her remarks toward the end of the Mass.

The gunman behind Thursday’s mass shooting has been identified as 24-year-old David Kozak.

The history student opened fire on the fourth floor of Charles University in Prague, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 20 with legally owned weapons.

He is believed to have killed his father before carrying out the massacre at his university. Authorities on Friday announced that all victims in Thursday’s shooting in Prague have been identified and none of them were foreign citizens.

Key Points

• Proofreader, institution head among 14 victims identified by authorities
• Gunman named as 24-year-old David Kozak
• Gunman killed himself when cornered
• Police investigating potential gunman’s Telegram account for evidence
• Gunman suspected of two forest murders last week

[22 December 2023 11:15 · Alex Ross]

All injured taken to hospital in critical condition ‘stabilised'

Official from Prague rescue service thanks his officers for their response. He says the time the police got to the shooting enabled his team to provide medical care to those injured.

All those injured were taken to “well prepared” hospitals which gave “maximum assistance”, he said.

He said all those taken into hospital in a critical condition had been stabilised.

A police officer next to an ambulance near the area of the shooting (REUTERS)

[22 December 2023 11:11 · Alex Ross]

Bodycam footage from police officers

The start of the press conference saw bodycam footage shown to journalists of police officers storming the building in search of the suspect.

Here is some of the footage: