Turkey School Shooting: 13-Year-Old Kills Nine, Injures 13 in Kahramanmaras Attack

A 13-year-old student opened fire at a school in Kahramanmaraş province, southern Turkey, on Wednesday, killing nine people and injuring 13 others in a rare but shocking school shooting incident.

Authorities said the eighth-grade student entered the school carrying multiple firearms believed to belong to his father. He reportedly opened fire in two classrooms, causing panic as students tried to escape, with some jumping from windows to avoid the gunfire.

Interior Minister Mustafa confirmed the revised toll, stating that six of the injured are in intensive care, with three in critical condition.

The provincial governor, Mükerrem Ünluer, said the attacker was carrying five guns and several magazines. He added that the suspect died during the incident, though it remains unclear whether it was suicide or a result of the chaos.

Police have detained the suspect’s father, a former police officer, as investigations continue. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said prosecutors have launched an immediate investigation into the attack.

The shooting comes a day after another school attack in Şanlıurfa province, raising renewed concerns about school safety across the country.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the incident and pledged accountability, saying those found negligent “will certainly be held responsible.”

Opposition leader Özgür Özel described the incident as evidence of a broader security crisis in schools and called for stronger protective measures, including tighter access control, improved surveillance, and increased security presence.

School shootings have remained rare in Turkey, which has strict gun control laws requiring licensing and background checks for legal ownership.