Student Shooting in Southern Turkey Leaves Four Dead

A student opened fire at a middle school in Turkey’s southern Kahramanmaras province on April 15, 2026, killing at least four people and wounding 20 others.

The fatalities include three students and one teacher, according to provincial governor Mukerrem Unluer. Four of the 20 injured individuals are reported to be in serious condition.

Details of the Attack

The incident occurred at Ayser Calik Middle School in the Onikisubat district. The attacker was an eighth-grade student, estimated to be between 13 and 14 years of age.

Governor Unluer stated that the student arrived at the school with firearms in his backpack, which were believed to belong to his father, a retired police officer. Reports indicate the boy carried five firearms and seven magazines.

The attacker entered two classrooms and opened fire randomly. Following the shooting, the attacker died by suicide.

Police and emergency services were dispatched to the scene after reports of intense gunfire. Video footage from the scene showed individuals being rushed into ambulances.

Pattern of School Violence

This event marks the second school shooting in Turkey within a 48-hour period. On April 14, 2026, a former student opened fire at a high school in the nearby Sanliurfa province in southeastern Turkey.

The April 14 attack resulted in 16 people being injured before the shooter also committed suicide. The motive for the Sanliurfa shooting remains unclear.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek has announced that an investigation into the events has been launched. Officials have noted that school shootings are uncommon in Turkey, and the occurrence of two such events in quick succession is unusual.