At least 16 people were injured in a shooting at a high school in southern Turkey on April 14. The next day, at another school in Kahramonmarash, an 8th grader shot and killed at least 9 people.
Turkish police have arrested more than 100 people who posted controversial content online about this week’s deadly shootings at two schools. According to the police, they “Engaging in activities that have a negative impact on public order and posting” accused.
In particular, 95 people were arrested following government concerns about online behavior following the attacks.
Turkish Minister of Justice Akin Gurlek as reportedthey are accused of distributing footage of the attack, sharing content likely to incite panic, despite being banned from broadcasting. They were also charged with inciting to commit a crime and spreading false information.
According to the BBC, another 67 people were arrested for sharing posts suggesting attacks at other schools. According to the minister, more than 1,100 profiles and accounts on social networks have been banned following these murders.
The attack in the fight is pre-planned
The murder that shocked Turkey took place on April 15 in Ayser Çalık High School in Kahramanmaraş region. A 14-year-old student shot and killed at least nine people, including eight classmates and a teacher. Also 13 people were injured, six of them are in serious condition.
Mukerrem Unluer, the governor of Kheramonmarash, said that the shooter shot himself during the riot.
“The eighth-grade student came with 5 guns and 7 cartridges (magazines) in his bag. We think they belong to his father, who is an ex-policeman. He entered two classrooms of fifth-graders and indiscriminately caused death and injury.”said the governor brought his words Reuters publication.
Shots can be heard in the school grounds, while several students are seen jumping out of the windows in the footage that has been circulating on the internet. Video surveillance cameras in the school showed the attacker shooting two students in the hallway. The fifth-grade students who were attacked by the gunman were 10-11 years old.
At least four people have been killed and more than 20 wounded in a school shooting at a secondary school in southern Turkey.
It comes a day after at least 16 people were injured during a shooting at another high school, also in the south of the country. pic.twitter.com/MghqgniXyj
— Xpress (@Xpress1en) April 15, 2026
Later, the local prosecutor’s office said that the suspect planned the attack in advance. «“During the examination of digital materials, an attack was found on the suspect’s computer dated April 11, 2026, indicating that he intends to conduct a major operation in the near future.” the statement said.
According to police, the suspect referred to American serial killer Elliot Rodger in his WhatsApp profile picture. Rodger killed six people before taking his own life in California in 2014.
Turkish Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi condemned this tragedy “This is a case of a private attack on one of our students, not a terrorist incident,” said.
The attacker’s parents gave evidence
The General Directorate of Security reported that the attacker’s father and mother were also arrested on Thursday. The father, who said the pistol and ammunition used by his son belonged to him, revealed that he had seven licensed firearms and two shotguns. BBC Turkish Service preliminary investigation provided the details.
The father stated that he kept these guns and ammunition in separate locked boxes. However, on the day of the attack, his son took five of them. She said she doesn’t know how her son opened them or learned to use them.
The father, who gave evidence as part of the inquest, said his son was very internet savvy, used “his own private VPN” and was very intelligent. “My son had typical teenage stress and exam problems,” she said.
The attacker’s mother said that other psychologists said that her son “may have problems adapting to society and needs supervision.”
The father says that his son has recently stopped going to a psychologist. However, a month ago, he became more interested in weapons. After that, the police allowed his son to go to the shooting range and shoot his gun.
Also, his mother said that her son plays interactive games, does not want to show them anything, speaks English and does not understand what is being said.
Attack on Siverek
Another attack, in which 16 people were injured, took place on April 14 at Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Lyceum in Siverek district. According to provincial governor Hasan Shildak, the teenage attacker “opened fire indiscriminately” with a shotgun. After being surrounded by the police, the attacker killed himself with this weapon.
According to officials, 10 students, four teachers, a canteen worker and a police officer were among the injured in the school.
The reasons for this attack are not yet known, investigations have been launched. The attacker had no criminal record and police believed the school was safe.
BBC’s local media based on writingthe attacker recently left posts on the school’s social media pages threatening an attack “in a few days.”
🚨SHOCKING | SCHOOL SHOOTING IN TURKEY LEAVES 16 INJURED
16 people were injured after a 17-year-old ex-student opened fire at a high school in southeastern Turkey. He later died by killing himself. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident pic.twitter.com/OMxUmf31zN
— The Tatva (@thetatvaindia) April 14, 2026
One of the witnesses said: “He was a boy of about 17-18 years old. Suddenly he entered the front gate of the school. As soon as he entered, he took out his gun and immediately opened fire. Then he ran into the school building and started shooting everyone who came in front of him.”
Omer Furkan, one of the injured students, said the gunman entered at least two classrooms, including his.
“First we threw ourselves on the ground, two people jumped out of the window and ran away. He didn’t say anything to us, he just went inside and started shooting.” he said.
Sanliurfa Governorate Administration according to his statementinspectors from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of National Education were sent to investigate the incident.
The head of the district police and two employees of the district’s national education department were removed from their positions “in order to ensure proper conduct of the investigation”.
Victims and the situation with the weapon
Thousands of people gathered at the funerals of the young victims on Thursday. According to the BBC, one of the victims was 10-year-old Zaynab. “Now she is an angel, she has flown away,” said the girl’s relatives in a statement to the publication. They want to increase security measures at schools after the attack.
Another victim is a 10-year-old girl – Shura. His aunt said she learned of her nephew’s death when her name was read on the news.
Gun laws in Turkey are strict, and only those over 21 and with a license are allowed to own a gun. However, weapons are widespread in the country: many security personnel are allowed to carry and own weapons. At the same time, school shootings are extremely rare in Turkey.
Interior Minister Mustafa Chiftchi was asked if the authorities would take any action after the shootings of journalists this week. Without going into detail he: “We will take the necessary precautions,” said.
