Czech police said the attacker who went on a rampage at Prague’s Charles University on Thursday turned the gun on himself after killing 14 in the deadliest shooting in the country’s history.
The authorities have identified all victims of the 24-year-old student, who also killed his father before opening fire in the building of the faculty of arts in the city center.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Interior Minister Vit Rakusan were among several high-ranking cabinet members who joined dozens of people lighting candles and laying flowers in front of the headquarters of Charles University where a provisional memorial for the victims has been created. The building where the attack took place remains cordoned off and is guarded by police officers.
The government declared Dec. 23 a national day of mourning when church bells will ring across the country at noon to honor the victims.
Czech officials didn’t immediately suggest a motive for the shooting — a rare event in a country that limits access to firearms by requiring gun owners to pass tests and psychological screenings. The attacker had no links to international terrorism, police said.
Rakusan and police chief Martin Vondrasek will hold another news conference at 2 p.m. in Prague.
The police have “relevant information” that the shooter was also involved in the double murder of a 32-year-old man and his 2-month old daughter outside the city last week.
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