A 19-year-old former student opened fire at a school in the Siverek district of Sanliurfa, southern Turkey, injuring at least 16 people before taking his own life on Tuesday morning.
The attacker entered the institute during the early hours of the day and began shooting individuals inside the building. As security forces arrived and moved to intercept the gunman, he used a firearm to commit suicide.
Sanliurfa Governor Hasan Sildak confirmed the casualties in a statement to the TRT television network. The list of injured individuals includes ten students, four teachers, a cafeteria worker, and a police officer.
Medical treatment and investigation
Twelve of the 16 wounded individuals are still undergoing medical treatment. Sildak noted that four of the victims are in moderate condition and have been transferred to hospitals in the city center.
"Fortunately, there have been no fatalities to mourn," Sildak said during his address to the media. "I wish them all a speedy recovery."
The perpetrator was a former student of the center, having attended the school until the third year of secondary school. He later enrolled in a different institution before returning to the school on Tuesday.
According to the governor, the attacker, who was born in 2007, was cornered by security forces during the shooting. He ended his life once he realized that law enforcement was about to take him into custody.
Authorities have launched an exhaustive investigation into the incident. Investigators are currently working to determine the motive behind the attack and how the individual obtained the weapon used in the shooting.