Prague shooting latest: Bells rung across Czech Republic as nation mourns 14 dead in university attack

Gunman behind Thursday’s mass shooting identified as 24-year-old David Kozak

Moment armed police storm Prague university after shooting captured in bodycam footage

Bells rang across the Czech Republic and the national flags on public buildings were at half-staff as people across the country observed a minute of silence to honor the 14 victims of the worst mass killing in Czech history.

Archbishop Jan Graubner served a mass at the main St Vitus cathedral at the Prague Castle. “We’re all still in a shock in our own ways,” the archbishop said, adding: “We need to clearly condemn what happened but we also need to look into the future.”

“Nobody should be left alone in these tough moments,” Charles University rector Milena Kralickova said in her remarks toward the end of the Mass.

The gunman behind Thursday’s mass shooting has been identified as 24-year-old David Kozak.

The history student opened fire on the fourth floor of Charles University in Prague, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 20 with legally owned weapons.

He is believed to have killed his father before carrying out the massacre at his university. Authorities on Friday announced that all victims in Thursday’s shooting in Prague have been identified and none of them were foreign citizens.

Key Points

• Proofreader, institution head among 14 victims identified by authorities
• Gunman named as 24-year-old David Kozak
• Gunman killed himself when cornered
• Police investigating potential gunman’s Telegram account for evidence
• Gunman suspected of two forest murders last week

[22 December 2023 16:05 · Athena Stavrou]

Timeline of events

The Czech Police have released a timeline of events.

Gunman David Kozak killed 14 people in the space of 20 minutes when he opened fire at a university campus in Prague.

• 12:26: Kozak’s friend informs police that she had received a suicidal text message from him, and that he was no longer answering his phone.
• 12:47: Police find Kozak’s father dead at his home.
• 13:15: Police announced a nationwide search for Kozak as a suspect.
• 13:49: Police believe Kozak is heading for one of the university campus’ in Prague.
• 14:22: Police started an evacuation of one campus.
• 14:59: Shooting starts at the university building in Jan Palach Square and police officers arrive minutes later.
• 15:11: Kozak is spotted on the roof with a gun.
• 15:20: Kozak shoots himself with his gun while being approached by police.

[22 December 2023 14:21 · Alex Ross]

‘Really traumatised'

As the country mourns the loss of 14 people to yesterday’s shooting, students at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University are still very much impacted by the events.

Kristof Unger, a student, said: “A few of my friends study at the philosophy faculty at Charles University.

“And they have been really traumatised by the shooting there and I just wanted to make them feel a little bit better.”

Robert Hanus, another of the vigil’s attendees, said people should come together to make a stance against the attack. “This shouldn’t be normalised,” he said.

The university’s rector Milena Kralickova lit a candle, saying: “The academic community is shaken, deeply shaken.”

Mourners stand outside the headquarters of Charles University after the mass shooting (AP)

[22 December 2023 13:44 · Jane Dalton]

Gunman was carrying numerous weapons

Gunman David Kozak was carrying numerous weapons when he carried out his shootings, police have revealed.

They said the 24-year-old student of the arts faculty in all likelihood shot himself after armed officers cornered him on a balcony and he dropped his long-barrel gun with sights.

“He was left with a shotgun which does not have long range, and when we were nearing the balcony he decided to commit suicide,” said Petr Matejcek, director of the Prague regional police.

A police officer stands guard (EPA)

[22 December 2023 13:15 · Jane Dalton]

No shame in asking for mental health help, says Czech minister

Czech interior minister Vít Rakusan has urged people traumatised by the shootings to ring special helplines.

The lines are manned by experienced experts, he said.

The national mental health institute had instructions on how to act.

“It’s not shameful to ask for help,” he said.

(Sky News )

[22 December 2023 12:31 · Alex Ross]

In pictures: Candles and flowers laid outside Charles University

Friends huge each other as they gather during a vigil to remember those who died (REUTERS)

Mourners lay candles outside the Charles University building where yesterday’s attack took place (AP)

Czech Republic’s prime minister Petr Fiala was among those to lay flowers this morning (AP)

[22 December 2023 12:09 · Alex Ross]

Police publish bodycam footage of response to shooting

The footage was first shown in the press conference earlier, but now it’s been released in its entirety on social media.

It shows officers turning up and entering the university building before scaling the steps in search of the suspect.

Officers are then seen searching classrooms before carrying injured victims on a stretcher outside.

You can watch it in full below. A warning, the footage maybe be distressing to watch.

[22 December 2023 12:00 · Sam Rkaina]

Everything we know so far

Following this morning’s press conference, we’ve put together a piece on everything we know so far.

New details have emerged about how the attack unfolded, including how the gunman died.

[22 December 2023 11:47 · Alex Ross]

First victim named

The first victim of the mass shooting yesterday has been named as Lenka Hlávková.

The Institute of Music Science at Charles University’s philosophy department posted a message of “deep regret” over her death on its Facebook page.

It read: “On the basis of verified information from the family and with their permission, we are announcing that our colleague and director of the Institute of Musicology of the Faculty of Music of the Faculty of Music, Lenka Hlávková did not survive yesterday’s attack.

“We express our deepest condolences to all the bereaved, first and foremost to the family. This is extremely cruel news for all of us. Let’s stay in support of each other.”

Lenka Hlávková, who died in yesterday’s attack at Charles University in Prague ( Institute of Music Science)

[22 December 2023 11:41 · Sam Rkaina]

Press conference now over

A few key points from the press conference:

*The police shared bodycam footage of officers entering the Charles University building and evacuating the site. Gunman David Kozak killed himself when he became aware of officers nearby.

*Kozak came prepared for more bloodshed, according to police who say there were piles of ammunition in the corridors.

*All 14 victims of the attack have been identified. All those who had initially been in a critical condition are now in a stable condition in hospital.

*Kozak was one of the suspects in the murders of a man and a baby found in a forest near Prague last week. Investigators were not following the 24-year-old and insist they acted properly.

[22 December 2023 11:23 · Alex Ross]

Police were not following suspect before attack

The press conference has now been opened up for journalists’ questions. One journalist asks the lead investigator in the forest murders if, as the shooter was a suspect, was he being followed.

The investigator responds: “No, I saw the procedure that we followed and I’m convinced we haven’t made any mistakes. We were analysing the data. The data indicated that he was one of the suspects so I believe we acted in the correct way.”

He was one of a “number” of suspects, the investigator adds.