Czech Republic marks a day of mourning
The nation observes a minute of silence after Thursday’s mass shooting left 14 dead.
PRAGUE — The Czech Republic came to a standstill at noon Saturday as people observed a minute of silence for the victims of the country’s worst mass killing, which left 14 dead, 25 wounded and questions about the motive of the shooter, who died by suicide.
National flags on public buildings flew at half-staff, and bells tolled at noon. President Petr Pavel and speakers of both houses of Parliament attended a Mass for the victims at the country’s largest cathedral, St. Vitus in Prague, which was filled to capacity.
The shooting occurred Thursday in Prague at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts.
“We’re all still in a shock in our own ways,” Prague Archbishop Jan Graubner said. “We need to clearly condemn what happened, but we also need to look to the future.”
“Nobody should be left alone in these tough moments,” Charles University rector Milena Kralickova said in remarks during the Mass.
Police and prosecutors said they have evidence that the 24-year-old shooter killed his father earlier in the day of the mass shooting and killed a man and a baby this month in Prague.
Similar religious services were held in other Czech cities and towns, while many Christmas markets were closed or reduced in size amid boosted security measures.
A sea of candles was shining at an impromptu memorial for the victims in front of the university headquarters.
“It’s been a horrible experience for us all, but it still can’t be compared with what the victims had to experience at the time of the attack and what their dear ones have to experience now,” said Milos Vystrcil, speaker of the Senate, who came to light a candle. “I think that to help them at this point, we express our support, and that’s what we’re all doing now.”
The identities of the 14 victims are being revealed. The university confirmed that two staff members were among them, including the head of the Institute of Music Sciences, Lenka Hlavkova. First-year student Lucie Spindlerova also was killed, according to the Lidove Noviny daily newspaper, where she worked.
Among the other students killed were Aneta Richterova, according to a group of volunteer firefighters in the town of Helichovky; Klara Holcova, 20, a talented shot-putter who won nine medals at national championships, according to the Czech athletics association; and Magdalena Kristkova, her hometown of Roztoky confirmed.
The shooter was a Czech student at the Faculty of Arts. Investigators do not suspect a link to any extremist ideology or groups. Officials said they believed he acted alone, but his motive is not clear.
The Czech Republic’s previous worst mass shooting occurred in 2015, when a gunman in the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod killed eight before fatally shooting himself.