School Shooting in Turkey: Former Student Leaves Multiple Dead and Injured
- Two separate school shootings occurred in southeastern Turkey within a 48-hour period, resulting in at least five deaths and dozens of injuries.
- A shooting at a middle school in Kahramanmaras province left at least four people dead and approximately 20 others injured.
- Initial findings indicate the attacker brought multiple firearms and ammunition to the school, which were allegedly sourced from a family member.
Two separate school shootings occurred in southeastern Turkey within a 48-hour period, resulting in at least five deaths and dozens of injuries. The incidents, which took place in the Kahramanmaras and Sanliurfa provinces, have sparked national concern in a country where such attacks are considered rare.
Attack in Kahramanmaras Province
A shooting at a middle school in Kahramanmaras province left at least four people dead and approximately 20 others injured. Authorities confirmed that the deceased include three students and one teacher. The suspect, identified as a fellow student, also died during the incident.
Initial findings indicate the attacker brought multiple firearms and ammunition to the school, which were allegedly sourced from a family member. The student entered classrooms and shot indiscriminately, leading to chaos as students attempted to escape, with some reportedly jumping from windows to avoid the gunfire.
Emergency teams transported the injured to nearby hospitals, where several individuals remain in critical condition. Security forces secured the area shortly after the attack, and an official investigation into the motive is ongoing.
Incident in Sanliurfa Province
On April 14, 2026, a teenager opened fire at his former high school in the Siverek district of Sanliurfa province. The attacker, born in 2007, used a pump-action shotgun to randomly fire in the school corridors.
The attack resulted in 16 injuries. According to the interior ministry, the victims included 10 students, four teachers, one police officer, and one cafeteria operator. The perpetrator took his own life with the same shotgun after being cornered by police.
Local governor Hasan Sildak reported that special security forces were deployed to the scene and students were evacuated from the building. Following the incident, the governor stated that a thorough investigation would be conducted.
Hasan Sildak, Governor of Sanliurfa
Despite taking all necessary precautions regarding the safety of our schools, such isolated incidents can still occur. The required investigation will be carried out
National Response and Context
The occurrence of two major school shootings within two days has placed increased pressure on Turkish authorities to review firearm access and school safety measures. Government officials have assured the public that strict action will be taken as investigations into both events proceed.
While school shootings are rare in Turkey, other incidents have been recorded. In May 2024, a former student killed a private high school principal in Istanbul five months after being expelled. Historical records of school attacks in the country include a 1978 massacre at Istanbul University that left seven students dead and 41 injured, as well as various stabbing incidents in 2006.