Multiple people have been injured after a gunman opened fire in a school in Turkey this morning, April 14.
The incident at Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in the Siverek district of Sanliurfa has reportedly seen at least seven injured with some publications reporting the figure as being as high as 16.
Some reports suggested that some students at the school had been taken hostage before the gunman took his own life.
According to reports in multiple Turkish publications, students were reportedly seen jumping out of windows to escape the attack as footage shared online shows dozens running out the school.
Armed security forces along with police and medical crews were urgently called to the school. Security forces evacuated students amid the attack.
Of those injured, four of them are teachers, ten students, one police officer, and one member of canteen staff.
The gunmen reportedly opened fire after entering the school.
Witness said the suspect appeared to be firing randomly in the grounds of the school before entering the main building.
According to Turkiye Today, authorities were continuing efforts to neutralize the suspect while trying to persuade the person to surrender.
It has now been confirmed that the suspect, believed to be 19-years-old, took his own life.
The suspected shooter is reportedly a former student at the school. It has been speculated a hunting rifle or shotgun had been used by the suspect, according to some sources.
Speaking to local media, Şanlıurfa Governor Hasan Şıldak confirmed that 16 people have been injured in the incident.
He said: “We have 16 injured. Most of the injured are students. The attacker is a former student of our school, born in 2007. The attacker took his own life. We have evacuated the school. The incident is being investigated from all angles.”
According to NTV Sanliurfa correspondent Kadir Celikcan, the suspect had been seen previously getting into an argument with a students and returned with a weapon.