18-year-old former student opens fire at vocational school in Siverek before taking his own life; motive remains unclear
April 14, 2026: A former student opened fire at a vocational high school in Siverek on Tuesday, injuring at least 16 people before killing himself, authorities said. The 18-year-old attacker, armed with a shotgun, reportedly fired indiscriminately on campus before taking refuge inside the building. According to Governor Hasan Şıldak, the suspect later died by suicide during a police operation.
Among the injured were 10 students, four teachers, a canteen worker, and a police officer. Most victims are being treated locally, while five critically injured individuals were shifted to hospitals in the provincial capital for advanced care. Emergency services and special police units were deployed swiftly, and all students were safely evacuated from the school premises.
Officials confirmed that the attacker was cornered inside the building and ended his life before he could be apprehended. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and a comprehensive investigation has been launched. School shootings are considered rare in Turkey, making the incident particularly alarming.