At least 15 people killed in Prague university shooting

A lone gunman opened fire at a university in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, on Thursday, killing at least 15 people and injuring 24, according to reports.

Local police and the city’s rescue service said it was the country’s worst mass shooting.

The shooting took place in the philosophy department building at Charles University, Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said.

The gunman also died and suffered “devastating injuries,” but Vondrasek said it isn’t clear if he killed himself or was shot to death in an exchange of gunfire with officers. He also added that there was “nothing to suggest that he had an accomplice.”

Vondrasek said the shooter was a student at the university, describing him as an excellent student with no criminal record. Police believe the gunman killed his father earlier in the day in his hometown of Hostouň and was planning to kill himself.

The gunman’s name has not been released.

Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan said investigators do not suspect there is a link to any extremist ideology or groups.

No details have been given about the victims or the motive of the shooting.