Nationwide flags on public buildings had been at half-staff and folks throughout the Czech Republic are set to look at a minute of silence because the nation holds a day of nationwide mourning on Saturday to honor the victims of the worst mass killing in Czech historical past.
The taking pictures inside a college constructing on the coronary heart of the Czech capital on Thursday left 14 lifeless and dozens injured.
Police and prosecutors stated they’ve proof the 24-year-old shooter additionally killed his father earlier within the day and a person and a child in Prague final week.
Bells will toll at church buildings at midday and a Mass at St. Vitus cathedral in Prague, the most important within the nation, can be celebrated for the victims. President Petr Pavel is scheduled to attend the service that’s open to everybody.
Comparable non secular providers can be held in different cities and cities, whereas Christmas markets in numerous locations had been closed or decreased their packages amid boosted safety measures.
Authorities stated that 13 folks died on the scene within the School of Arts of Charles College and one died later in a hospital. A complete of 25 folks had been wounded, together with three overseas nationals.
Milos Vystrcil, speaker of Parliament’s higher home, the Senate, was amongst many who’ve been coming collectively to gentle candles at an impromptu memorial for the victims created in entrance of the college headquarters.
It has been a horrible expertise for us all but it surely nonetheless cannot be in contrast with what the victims needed to expertise on the time of the assault and what their expensive ones should expertise now, Vystrcil stated.
I feel that to assist them at this level we specific our help and that is what we’re all doing now.
The 14 who died have been recognized and their names have been progressively launched.
The college confirmed two employees members had been amongst them, together with the pinnacle of the Institute of Music Sciences, Lenka Hlvkov. First-year pupil Lucie Spindlerova was one other, stated the Lidove noviny every day, the place she additionally labored.
The shooter, who killed himself as police closed in, was Czech and a pupil on the School of Arts .
Investigators don’t suspect a hyperlink to any extremist ideology or teams. Officers stated they believed he acted alone. His motive is just not but clear.
Beforehand, the nation’s worst mass taking pictures was in 2015, when a gunman opened hearth within the southeastern city of Uhersky Brod, killing eight earlier than fatally taking pictures himself.
