Former Student Injures 16 in Turkey School Shooting Before Killing Himself

At least 16 people were injured after a former student opened fire at a school in south-eastern Turkey before killing himself. Victims include students, teachers, and staff, and an investigation is ongoing.

At least 16 people have been injured after a former student opened fire at a high school in south-eastern Turkey, in a violent incident that caused panic among students and staff and led to the immediate evacuation of the school.
According to local authorities, the attacker—reported to be in his late teens—entered the premises of the Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in the Siverek district and began shooting “indiscriminately with a shotgun.” The local governor, Hasan Şildak, confirmed that the suspect later took his own life using the same weapon after carrying out the attack.
Officials said the injured include 10 students, four teachers, a cafeteria worker, and a police officer who responded to the scene. The shooting took place around 09:30 local time (06:30 GMT), a time when classes were already in session, intensifying the level of chaos as students and staff attempted to flee or take cover.
Emergency services quickly arrived at the school, and the wounded were transported to nearby hospitals. Authorities later confirmed that five of the injured were transferred to other medical facilities for more specialised treatment due to the severity of their conditions. The school was subsequently evacuated and secured as security forces began investigations into the incident.
Governor Şildak stated that, based on initial findings, the attacker had no known criminal record and that the school had previously been considered safe by law enforcement. Investigators are now working to determine the motive behind the attack, including how the suspect obtained the firearm and what may have led to the sudden outbreak of violence.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and terror as the shooting unfolded. One eyewitness told IHA News that the attacker appeared to be around 17 or 18 years old and entered the school grounds carrying what looked like a pump-action shotgun. The witness said the gunman immediately began firing without warning, moving through the area and shooting in different directions, causing students and staff to scatter in panic.
Another student, Ömer Furkan Sayar, who was among those injured, recounted to TRT that the attacker entered multiple classrooms, including his own. He said students initially tried to protect themselves by lying on the ground before some attempted to escape by jumping out of windows. He added that the gunman did not speak during the attack and simply entered rooms and opened fire, intensifying the fear and confusion.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident, focusing on security procedures, the attacker’s background, and how the weapon was accessed. The case has sparked renewed concern over school safety and gun access in the region as officials continue to gather evidence and support the injured.