Kahramanmaras school shooting: Eighth-grade student kills four and wounds at least 20
A student attack at a middle school in Kahramanmaras left four people dead and at least 20 wounded, marking a second school shooting in Turkiye within 48 hours.
Casualties and immediate toll
Three students and one teacher were killed in the Kahramanmaras school shooting, provincial Governor Mukerrem Unluer told reporters. Authorities say at least 20 others were wounded and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, with medical teams working through the afternoon.
Ambulances and emergency vehicles were visible around the school as parents and relatives gathered at the scene, and local media outlets released footage showing victims being evacuated. The governor and local officials confirmed the casualty figures as the first priority of the response.
Suspect described as an eighth-grade pupil
Local authorities identified the suspect as a pupil in the eighth grade who carried out the attack inside classrooms, according to official statements. Governor Unluer said the student entered two rooms and opened fire in what investigators described as an apparently random assault.
No motive has been publicly confirmed, and officials cautioned that the investigation was at an early stage. Law enforcement sources indicated the suspect was taken into custody at the scene and that further inquiries would determine how and why the attack occurred.
Weapons reportedly concealed in a backpack
Governor Unluer told reporters the suspect had concealed firearms belonging to his father in a backpack before arriving at school. Officials said the weapons were taken from the family home and brought into the building, enabling the attacker to carry out the shootings in two classrooms.
Police forensic teams were seen examining the weaponry and the scene while investigators collected witness testimony. Authorities have not disclosed details about how the firearms were obtained or stored prior to the incident.
Scene response and witness accounts
Video footage released by the IHA private news agency showed an individual being placed in an ambulance with coverings over body and face, and captured distraught parents rushing toward the school entrance. Witnesses quoted by local media described intense gunfire and scenes of panic as students and staff sought shelter.
School security was tightened and police maintained a heavy presence during the immediate aftermath, with some roads around the campus temporarily closed. Rescue workers and hospital staff continued treating injured students and school employees throughout the day.
Legal action and official statements
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said prosecutors had launched an immediate investigation into the Kahramanmaras school shooting, and that authorities would pursue all legal avenues. Officials pledged to determine the timeline of events, any lapses in supervision, and whether others were involved.
The ministry and local prosecutors are expected to coordinate with education and law enforcement agencies to review school safety protocols. Investigators said they would also question family members and school personnel as part of the criminal probe.
Context: a second school attack in two days
Wednesday’s assault came one day after a separate shooting at a high school in Sanliurfa province, where an ex-student wounded 16 people and later died in a confrontation with police. The back-to-back incidents have prompted national concern over violence on school grounds.
School shootings remain uncommon in Turkiye, though past cases have prompted debate about security, mental health services, and firearm access. In May 2024, a former student in Istanbul killed a private high school principal, underscoring earlier instances of lethal violence connected to educational institutions.
Prompted by the recent attacks, national and local officials face pressure to review safety measures and family firearm storage practices. Investigators and policymakers are expected to examine potential changes to prevent further assaults on students and educators.
The investigation in Kahramanmaras is ongoing, with prosecutors, police and education authorities continuing to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Medical teams remain focused on treating the wounded while officials work to provide support to grieving families and the school community.
