ANKARA, April 15 (Reuters) – A 14-year-old student killed at least nine people, including eight fellow pupils, and wounded 13 others at a middle school in southeastern Turkey on Wednesday, officials said. It was the country’s second school shooting in two days.
Eight students and one teacher died in the attack in Kahramanmaras province, Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci told reporters, adding that six of the wounded were in critical condition.
“This was solely a personal attack carried out by one of our students; it is not a terror incident,” Ciftci said.
Earlier, Kahramanmaras Governor Mukerrem Unluer said the shooter had shot and killed himself amid the commotion.
“An eighth-grade student brought five weapons and seven magazines in his bag — which we believe belonged to his former police officer father — entered two classrooms with fifth-grade students and caused deaths and injuries indiscriminately,” Unluer said.
Fifth-grade students are usually aged 10 and 11 in Turkey.
School shootings are very rare in Turkey. Asked by reporters whether authorities would take any measures after this week’s shootings, Ciftci said, “We will take necessary precautions,” without elaborating.
Broadcaster NTV said the shooter’s father had been detained.
Gun laws in Turkey are generally strict: only people over 21 with a license are allowed to own weapons. However, guns are widespread, and many security officers are permitted to carry and own arms.