Czechs in mourning after shooter kills 14 in Prague

A shooter killed 14 people and injured dozens more in a violent attack at Charles University in Prague on Thursday afternoon before being killed himself, according to Czech police.

“The shooter has been eliminated!!! The entire [university] building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens injured,” Czech police reported Thursday afternoon, adding that an investigation was still ongoing.

The attack took place in the philosophy department building, where the shooter was a student, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said, according to AP.

The shooter’s motive has not yet been revealed, though Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakušan said investigators don’t suspect a link to extremist ideology or groups.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala convened an extraordinary government meeting on Thursday evening, before declaring Saturday December 23 a national day of mourning in honor of the victims of the attack.

“We are all shocked by this horrific act and it is difficult to find words to express the condemnation on the one hand and the pain and grief that the whole society feels in these pre-Christmas days,” he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden said American authorities are in touch with their Czech counterparts and “stand ready” to offer additional support.

“My heart is with those who lost their lives in today’s senseless shooting in Prague, those injured, and the Czech people,” he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “deeply struck” by the news of the shooting and expressed solidarity with “the victims, the injured and their loved ones, as well as with the Czech people and authorities.”

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europeans “stand and mourn with you.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed her condolences.

“We reiterate our strongest condemnation of all forms of violence, fanaticism and terrorism,” she said. “Europe has a duty to react and strengthen every useful instrument to ensure maximum security for its citizens.”

This article has been updated with additional information and a revised death toll.