Gunman's Attack at Prague's Charles University Leaves 14 Dead, Dozens Injured

The assailant, also a student at the university, was swiftly "eliminated" at the scene.

Responding to the unfolding incident, police officers quickly converged on the university building at Jan Palach Square in central Prague, where the active shooter was neutralized, as confirmed by Police President Martin Vondrasek during a press briefing. As the premises were evacuated, officers found 14 victims dead and at least 25 more injured, Vondrasek said, according to RT.

The shooter, David Kozak, was identified by the Czech media as the assailant responsible for the attack, and Police Chief Vondrasek acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the circumstances of the assailant's demise, questioning whether the fatal shot was fired by law enforcement or the suspect himself.

Authorities revealed that Kozak was suspected of murdering his father earlier on the same day in Kladno before embarking on the fatal rampage in Prague.

In response to the incident, Jan Palach Square and the surrounding areas remained closed to the public until midnight, with concerns raised about potential explosives. Interior Minister Vit Rakusan, however, reassured the public, stating that there was no immediate danger.

As the evening unfolded, police officers combed the scene for explosives, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to secure the area, as announced by the national police force on social media.

The Thursday attack stands as the most tragic shooting incident in recent Czech history. Despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing the right to bear arms for self-defense, gun-related crimes are infrequent, with fewer annual homicides by firearms compared to countries like France, Australia, and the Netherlands.

Notably, the Czech Republic has witnessed rare but devastating shooting incidents, such as the 2019 hospital waiting room attack in Ostrava, where six people were killed, and the 2015 restaurant shooting in Uhersky Brod, claiming eight lives.