At least 14 killed in Prague university shooting

A gunman is dead after killing at least 14 people and wounding many others in a shooting rampage Thursday at a central Prague university, according to Czech police.

The attack at Charles University came after authorities received some prior warning about a student at the school, according to the country’s head of police, though an investigation into key details of the shooting is just beginning.

Here’s what we know so far:

People light candles for the shooting victims at the Charles University main office in central Prague, on December 21.

The Czech Republic will observe a day of mourning Saturday for those killed in the Prague shooting, officials announced at a joint news conference Thursday.

During the day of mourning, flags will be flown at half-staff and a minute of silence will be held nationwide.

Bells across the country will toll for the victims of the attack, according to Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala.

Student barricades door as shooter goes on rampage, killing at least 15 in Prague university.

Graduate student Jakob Weizman, 25, told CNN he was in a classroom with his professor when they heard what sounded like gunshots and screams — and then the sounds grew louder. 

“My professor tried to lock the door, but it would not work,” Weizman said. Luckily, Weizman managed to finally get the door locked, he said. Moments later, they started pushing classroom furniture up to the door to create a barricade.

“About five minutes after that, someone tried to open the door very violently,” Weizman said. He believes it may have been the shooter, but he does not know for sure.

Weizman, who told CNN he lived in the United States for 15 years, never thought he would experience a mass shooting event in Europe.

“You think it will never happen,” he said. “I’m still processing a lot.”

The graduate student said the police eventually arrived, so he broke down the barricade to let them in. Weizman said he could see blood on each floor as police escorted him down.

Czech Republic's Police president Martin Vondrášek speaks to the media in Prague on Thursday.

Czech police chief Martin Vondrášek updated the number of people killed in a shooting at Charles University in central Prague, saying the 14 died and 25 others were injured. 

Vondrášek had previously said that at least 15 people had died.

He said that of the 25 injured, 10 were in a serious condition.

The police chief updated the numbers while speaking at a press conference on Thursday evening.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala speaks during a press conference in Prague on Thursday.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed his condolences to the loved ones of the victims killed in a shooting at Charles University in Prague on Thursday.

Addressing the nation, he said many young lives were lost in the “senseless attack.”

The prime minister said officials believe it was an isolated incident and was not an act of terror or an attack by an organized group. He also assured people that there is no longer any danger. 

“Dear citizens, please let us think of all those who have lost their loved ones. This Christmas will be unimaginably sad for them. Let us share their sorrow and their pain. At this dark hour, we should come together and respect each other, to show our respect for the victims,” Fiala said.

A police officer stands next to ambulances parked near the area of the shooting at Charles University in Prague on Thursday.

All events have been canceled at Charles University in Prague on Thursday and Friday as tighter security measures go into effect following a deadly shooting on its campus.

At least 15 people were killed and dozens of others were wounded, according to Czech police. The university said it is also offering psychological help to those who need it. 

“We mourn the loss of life of members of our university community, express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved and our thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy,” the university said.

European leaders are condemning violence and expressing their shock after a shooter killed 15 people at a university in Prague on Thursday, saying they are sending condolences to those killed and injured.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated condemnation of “all forms of violence, fanaticism and terrorism,” according to a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said in a post he is “deeply shocked by the cruel attack” in Prague and his thoughts are with those in the Czech Republic.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said his country “stands with the people of the Czech Republic during these difficult times,” adding he was “appalled by the shooting” and offered thoughts to the families of those killed.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed the “strong emotion” he felt when he learned that the shooting took place at Charles University.

The man suspected of killing at least 15 people at Charles University in Prague had a gun permit and owned several weapons, according to Czech Police President Martin Vondrášek.

Police previously said they have not formally identified the deceased shooter due to the severity of their injuries, but that they are suspected to be a 24-year-old student at the school.

About gun regulations in the Czech Republic: The country has relatively liberal gun laws compared to the rest of the European Union. To obtain a gun legally, a person needs an official firearm license, which requires a medical examination, a weapon proficiency exam and no previous criminal record. 


According to official police statistics, more than 300,000 people have legal permit to own a gun. As of 2022, almost 1 million legally owned weapons were officially registered in the Czech Republic.

Czech police President Martin Vondrášek is seen at a press conference on Thursday.

Authorities received tips about a 24-year-old philosophy student at Charles University who they suspect was responsible for the deadly mass shooting at the campus in central Prague Thursday, Czech Police President Martin Vondrášek said in a news conference.

The police chief said the information he has received so far indicates that the shooter took his own life after the attack, but that this is not yet confirmed. He said the suspect has not been formally identified because of the severity of his injuries.

Police evacuated building where suspect had lecture scheduled: The police chief said authorities had information about the student prior to the incident, saying they received a tip saying he was traveling from his hometown of Hostouň to Prague with the intention to take his own life. Shortly after that, they received information that a man believed to be the suspect’s father was found dead in Hostouň.

Vondrášek said police were aware the suspected shooter had a lecture at 2 p.m. CET (8 a.m. ET) and had evacuated the building where the lecture was meant to take place.

Police then received a call about a shooting in a different building on campus, according to the police chief.

The prime minister of Slovakia has expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in the deadly shooting at Charles University in Prague on Thursday.

Slovakia and the Czech Republic have a long-shared history, as members of the now-dissolved Czechoslovakia.