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

[23 December 2023 14:00 · Tara Cobham]

Moment Prague police arrest man ‘inspired’ by university shooter

Police in Prague arrested a man who said he was “inspired” by the Prague shooting on Thursday 21 December.

Czech Police said they received a call after the university shooting, with the caller telling police “he was inspired by the shooter,” and that he “wanted to buy a gun and also kill.”

Police managed to identify the man a few hours after his initial call and arrested him, which they posted to X, formerly Twitter. Footage shows armed officers forcibly entering the man’s residence.

Czech police have said that since the shooting, they received several cases of people who are allegedly inspired by the university shooting, and are responding instantly to such cases.

Rhys Jones reports:

[23 December 2023 13:00 · Tara Cobham]

What we know about Charles University attack that left 14 dead

The popular tourist destination of Prague has been left reeling after a lone gunman opened fire on students at a top university, in what has become the country’s worst mass shooting.

Social media videos captured the panic that broke out on Thursday afternoon at Charles University in the city centre, with tourists taking cover and a group of desperate students clinging to a building ledge in a bid to save their lives.

Czech police raced to the scene of the shooting at Jan Palach Square shortly after 3pm, and were confronted with the horrifying reality that 13 people had been killed, with the gunman taking his own life shortly afterwards.

Athena Stavrou reports:

[23 December 2023 12:00 · Tara Cobham]

Watch live: Czech President attends church service for victims of Prague shooting

Watch live as Czech President Petr Pavel attends a church service for victims of the Charles University shooting.

The Czech Republic has declared Saturday, 23 December, a day of mourning after 14 people were killed and 25 were wounded after a shooting at a Prague university by a 24-year-old student.

Police are working to uncover the motive behind the attack, which is believed to be the worst mass shooting in the country’s history.

Rhys Jones reports:

[23 December 2023 11:06 · Tara Cobham]

Watch: Moment Prague police arrest man ‘inspired’ by university shooter

[23 December 2023 10:15 · Tara Cobham]

Czech Republic holds a national day of mourning for the victims of its worst mass killing

National flags on public buildings were at half-staff and people across the Czech Republic are set to observe a minute of silence as the country holds a day of national mourning on Saturday to honor the victims of the worst mass killing in Czech history.

Bells will toll at churches at noon and a Mass at St. Vitus cathedral in Prague, the biggest in the country, will be celebrated for the victims. President Petr Pavel is scheduled to attend the service that is open to everyone.

Similar religious services will be held in other cities and towns, while Christmas markets in a number of places were closed or reduced their programs amid boosted security measures.

Authorities said that 13 people died at the scene in the Faculty of Arts of Charles University and one died later in a hospital. A total of 25 people were wounded, including three foreign nationals.

Milos Vystrcil, speaker of Parliament's upper house, the Senate, was among many who have been coming together to light candles at an impromptu memorial for the victims created in front of the university headquarters.

"It's been a horrible experience for us all but it still can't be compared with what the victims had to experience at the time of the attack and what their dear ones have to experience now," Vystrcil said. "I think that to help them at this point we express our support and that's what we're all doing now."

People pay respects outside the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University following a mass shooting, during the day of national mourning in central Prague, Czech Republic, on Saturday (EPA)

[23 December 2023 09:31 · Tara Cobham]

Police seek motive for shooting

Police have released no details about a possible motive for the shooting.

The interior minister said Thursday that investigators did not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

Officials said they believed the gunman acted alone.

He has no criminal record.

[23 December 2023 08:45 · Tara Cobham]

Czechs mourn victims of university shooting as police patrol public areas

Czechs mourned the victims of the country's worst mass shooting as police tightened security around schools and other public buildings across the country on Friday after a student gunman killed 14 people at a Prague university building on Thursday.

At the Charles University headquarters, crowds that included Prime Minister Petr Fiala and U.S. Ambassador Bijan Sabet paid tribute to the victims. Some knelt to light candles and lay flowers while others stood crying and hugging each other.

"We are here to show our support as fellow students," said Czech student Daniel Broz.

"I was on the other side of the river and hearing gunshots, pops and not knowing what is going on and then a flurry of police cars passing by was absolutely surreal especially as a Czech who has never witnessed an event similar to this before."

Charles University cancelled all lectures and events on Friday a day after the shooting in the central European country of 10.9 million where over 300,000 people own guns but mass shootings are rare.

The Health Ministry said 27 people were admitted or treated at six Prague hospitals, many with gunshot wounds. Out of those, 12 remained in serious condition and at least one in critical condition.

One of the victims had died in hospital.

A police officer walks across a bridge over the Vltava river in downtown Prague, Czech Republic on Thursday (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

[23 December 2023 08:00 · Alisha Rahaman Sarkar]

Everything we know about gunman David Kozák

The identity of the gunman who opened fire at a Prague university on Thursday killing 14 people has been revealed.

Student David Kozák opened fire on the fourth floor of Charles University in Jan Palach Square shortly after 3pm, with chilling images appearing of the shooter dressed in black, taking aim from a balcony with a large gun.

Police raced to the scene and evacuated students and tourists near the building in the city centre, with Kozak’s body found a short while later with “devastating injuries”.

Authorities have confirmed that the 24-year-old was a history student at the university and that he acted alone.

Athena Stavrou and Holly Evans report.

[23 December 2023 07:00 · Alisha Rahaman Sarkar]

Watch: People cling to Prague university building ledge during shooting

People hid on the ledge of a Prague university building during a mass shooting in which at least 14 people were killed on Thursday, 21 December.

A group wae filmed huddling together below a window on the outside of the Jan Palach Library at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts.

More here.

[23 December 2023 06:30 · Alisha Rahaman Sarkar]

Mourners lay tributes at Prague university

Mourners placed candles and flowers near Charles University in Prague, a day after a horrific mass shooting.

At least 14 people were killed and more than 20 were injured in the Czech Republic’s worst-ever mass shooting on Thursday.

David Kozak, 24, has been named as the gunman.

More here.