14 people and the perpetrator were killed during Thursday's mass shooting at a university in Prague. Several local media call the event the most tragic in the history of the independent Czech Republic.
The Guardian's Robert Tait writes that mass shootings have occurred in the country before. He brings up a crime in 2015 when a man shot dead eight people in a restaurant. Both then and during Thursday's act, weapons were used that were purchased legally, something that is possible as the country has one of the most permissive weapons laws in the EU.
“Gun ownership goes hand in hand with the country's proud history of gun manufacturing. It is perhaps not completely unrelated that mass shootings happen," he writes.
Antonín Vavrda also writes an analysis about the country's weapons laws in Czech Lidovky. He points out that the shooter used the weapon model AR-15 during the crime.
To own the weapon, a permit is required and the weapon is bought mainly by hunters, enthusiasts and collectors. At the same time, he calls the weapon the "first choice" for school shooters and lists a number of crimes where the weapon model has been used in the United States.
"Unfortunately, Prague is now also included in these unflattering statistics."
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The shooter is believed to have murdered an infant last week
The 24-year-old Prague school shooter, referred to in Czech media as David K, is also suspected of having committed a double murder in a wooded area outside the city last week. This is stated by police chief Martin Vondrasek according to Czech Lidovky.
The victims were a 32-year-old man and his two-month-old daughter. According to Vondrasek, the shooter is believed to have selected his victims at random.
The police chief further says that a "huge supply" of weapons and ammunition was found at Charles University after Thursday's shooting.
- If it weren't for the quick action of the police, the death toll could have been many times higher.
The shooter is believed to have used an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle equipped with a scope in the school shooting.
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The Prime Minister: It will be an unspeakably sad Christmas
In an address to the nation, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala laments the young lives lost in the "senseless attack" at Charles University in Prague, CNN reports.
- There is absolutely no explanation or justification. Like many of you, I am deeply saddened and disgusted by this unimaginable and brutal violence.
Christmas will be unspeakably sorrowful for those who have lost their loved ones, Fiala continues, and calls on the Czechs to "share their grief and pain".
At least 15 people died, including the shooter, and 24 people were injured in the school shooting. The perpetrator, a 24-year-old student, killed his father before heading to the university and opening fire.
According to Czech authorities, the man acted alone. No terrorist motive is suspected, but the shooter is believed to have suffered from mental illness and was inspired by school acts abroad.
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