What Was The Motive For The Mass Shooting At Prague University?

The citizens of Prague are coming to terms with the mass shooting that left 14 dead and dozens injured. A vigil was held near the Charles University headquarters, with people lighting candles in memory of those lost. Kristof Unger, a student, said that some of his friends had been traumatized by the shooting and wanted to make them feel a little better. Robert Hanus, another attendee, stated that everyone should come together to make a stand against the attack. Milena Kralickova, the rector of the university, was also present and said that the academic community was “deeply shaken”.

The gunman, who has not been named, was a student of the university. Authorities have confirmed that three foreign nationals were among the 25 people wounded, although the U.S. State Department has said that no U.S. citizens were injured or killed. The Interior Minister, Vit Rakusan, said that all 14 victims have been identified. The Institute of Music Sciences has confirmed that Lenka Hlávková, its head, was among the dead.

Police have increased security around schools and other “soft targets” in a preventive measure. University rectors have also said they will work with police experts to increase security around campuses. The Czech government declared Saturday a national day of mourning to honor the victims. This is the worst mass shooting in the country’s history, surpassing the 2015 shooting in Uhersky Brod, which left eight dead. The shooter was heavily armed and had legally owned several guns. The building where the incident took place is located near the Vltava River in Jan Palach Square, a popular tourist area in Prague’s Old Town. Leaders from many countries, including the United States, and the U.N Secretary-General have expressed their condolences.