Shooting at Charles University’s Faculty of Philosophy in Prague Results in At Least 11 Fatalities
Updated: December 21, 2023
PRAGUE, Czech Republic — In a tragic incident on Thursday, December 21, police in the Czech Republic reported a shooting at the Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University in central Prague, resulting in at least 11 deaths, including the assailant, and dozens injured. Czech media reports indicate that the police have secured the area around Jan Palach Square, where the Faculty of Philosophy and the Academy of Art, Architecture, and Design are located.
Witnesses revealed that during the chaos, one female student fell from a balcony while trying to escape. The Czech police, through their message on the X Network (formerly Twitter), confirmed the initial reports of fatalities and injuries at the scene. They also announced that the shooter was killed, with Prague’s mayor stating the assailant died falling from the building, although eyewitnesses claim he was shot first.
The entire building has been evacuated, leaving several dead and dozens injured. An email to the staff of Charles University’s Art Faculty, seen by Reuters, warned of the shooter in one of the buildings, instructing staff to “stay put.” The email advised: “Don’t go anywhere, if you’re in rooms, lock the door and barricade it with a table and chairs. Turn off the lights.”
Vit Rakusan, the Czech Interior Minister, confirmed there are no other attackers on-site and no further danger, but urged the public to stay away and cooperate with the police. Prague Emergency Services dispatched numerous ambulances to the site, with injuries ranging from minor to severe. Reports indicate that at least 30 people were injured, with nine in critical condition.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala canceled his trip to the east of the country and is on his way to Prague. Violent gun-related crimes are relatively rare in the Czech Republic. In December 2019, a 42-year-old man shot six people in a hospital waiting room in the east of the country before being killed by police during his escape. In 2015, a man shot and killed eight people in a restaurant in Uhersky Brod before committing suicide.
The identity and motive of the shooter in the current incident are still unknown.