Correction: An earlier version of the story stated that Charles University had 59,000 students, but it actually has around 49,000 students.
A gunman tragically killed 14 people and injured many more at Charles University in Prague on Dec. 21. The shooter, who was later killed by Czech police, was a student at the university, and authorities believe he also killed his father earlier that day near Prague.
In the wake of the mass shooting, the police emphasized that there was no evidence pointing to the shooter being connected to any terrorist group. The U.S. Embassy in Prague has not issued any immediate comments following the incident.
The tragic event shook the Czech Republic, with its large number of foreign students and a major spotlight in the academic world. The police found multiple firearms at the scene, all of which the shooter had legally obtained. The Czech Republic’s laxer gun laws, although strict in some aspects, have previously resulted in mass shootings.
The President of the Czech Republic and the European Commission President both expressed their condolences and shock due to the tragic incident. The event is still being investigated for more details on the shooter’s motives and background.
This is a developing story, and more updates will be reported as they become available.