Türkiye school shooting death toll rises to 9

Mukerrem Unluer, Kahramanmaras’s governor, said the attack was carried out by an eighth-grade student at Ayser Calik Secondary School for reasons not yet known.

The student brought firearms in a backpack and opened fire indiscriminately after entering two classrooms, Unluer said, adding that four of the injured are undergoing surgery and are believed to be in critical condition.

The suspected attacker also died, he said, noting that it remains unclear whether he shot himself intentionally or was injured during the chaos.

The governor said that the weapons may have belonged to the suspect’s father, a former police officer. The student reportedly arrived at the school with five firearms and seven magazines.

Chief Public Prosecutor Ramazan Murat Tiryaki said an investigation has been launched and is ongoing.

“Three deputy chief public prosecutors and four public prosecutors have been assigned to the investigation. Our chief public prosecutor and the assigned prosecutors are continuing their work at the scene,” Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.

According to an official statement, Education Minister Yusuf Tekin and accompanying officials travelled to the region shortly after being informed of the incident.

The ministry also said that four chief inspectors have been dispatched to Kahramanmaras to comprehensively examine the incident.

Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said on US social media company X that all aspects of the incident are being examined carefully by the relevant institutions and that all necessary steps are being taken in the process.

Given that the incident directly affects minors and their families, Duran also called for the utmost care in the language and tone used in both traditional and digital media.

Gurlek said that media coverage restrictions have been imposed to ensure the integrity of the investigation, and it is important that media outlets strictly observe the confidentiality of the process, adding that authorities will provide necessary updates on all stages of the investigation.

Interior Minister Ciftci announced that education in Kahramanmaras has been suspended for two days.