Former Student Wounds 16 in Turkey High School Shooting; Gunman Dead
- A former student opened fire at a vocational high school in south-eastern Turkey on April 14, 2026, wounding at least 16 people before killing himself.
- The attack took place at approximately 09:30 local time at the Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, located in the Siverek district of Sanliurfa province.
- The shooting left 10 students, four teachers, a cafeteria worker and a police officer wounded.
A former student opened fire at a vocational high school in south-eastern Turkey on April 14, 2026, wounding at least 16 people before killing himself.
The attack took place at approximately 09:30 local time at the Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, located in the Siverek district of Sanliurfa province. According to local governor Hasan Şildak, the 18-year-old assailant used a shotgun to fire indiscriminately before taking his own life.
Casualties and Medical Response
The shooting left 10 students, four teachers, a cafeteria worker and a police officer wounded. Most of the victims were initially treated in Siverek, but five individuals were later transferred to a hospital in the provincial capital due to the severity of their injuries.
Details of the Attack
Witnesses reported that the gunman entered through the front door of the school yard and immediately began shooting. One witness told IHA News that the weapon appeared to be a long, stocky
pump-action shotgun.
The attacker then entered the school building, firing at people in his path. Ömer Furkan Sayar, an injured student, told state broadcaster TRT that the gunman entered at least two classrooms, including his own, without speaking to the students.
Police special operations units were deployed after the assailant refused to surrender. Governor Şildak stated that the individual was eventually cornered inside the building through police intervention and died after shooting himself with the same weapon.
The school was evacuated following the incident, and video footage showed dozens of students fleeing the building toward the street.
Investigation and Context
Governor Şildak noted that the attacker had no prior criminal record and that police had previously considered the school to be safe. A comprehensive investigation has been launched to determine the motive for the attack, which remains unclear.
Officials noted that school shootings are rare occurrences in Turkey.