Eight people have died in a series of shootings across villages in the tourist destination of Afyonkarahisar, Turkey, with one other person seriously injured. The suspected gunman has been arrested.
Shootings across multiple sites
The shootings unfolded across multiple sites on Thursday, November 5, in rural Afyonkarahisar. The suspect discharged a shotgun, claiming lives in Yukarıtandır, Ayazini and Kıyır before absconding, Turkish news agency DHA reported.
Afyonkarahisar lies in western Turkey, positioned midway between the capital Ankara and the coastal city of Izmir. The Afyonkarahisar Governor's office said: "Unfortunately, in the armed attacks that occurred in our province, eight of our citizens have lost their lives, and one citizen has been seriously injured."
Arrest after manhunt
Roadblocks were established as police and gendarmerie units mounted an extensive manhunt for the suspect. A red vehicle, thought to be connected to the suspect, was initially discovered lodged in mud within the rural Taslike area of Eskişehir district.
The suspect fired upon officers, but authorities surrounded and arrested the suspect, according to reports. Two officers are believed to have sustained minor wounds. The suspect remains in police custody.
"The perpetrator of today's armed attacks in Afyonkarahisar was apprehended alive within our province's borders as a result of a joint operation by our Provincial Gendarmerie Command and Provincial Police Department teams," a statement from the Eskişehir Governor's Office reads.
Teachers among victims
Two teachers lost their lives in the attacks. An education official in the region confirmed the victims were staff members from İhsaniye Yukarıtandır Secondary School.
A separate but connected attack is being investigated where a woman suffered gunshot wounds while inside a vehicle in the Osman Gazi neighbourhood of Afyonkarahisar at approximately 3.30pm on Thursday. She was taken to hospital having sustained serious injuries.
The Afyonkarahisar Governor's Office issued a statement regarding the incident: "In order to fully clarify all aspects of the incident and to ensure the process is carried out in a correct manner, all relevant institutions of our state have been acting together from the first moments of the event. They are meticulously continuing the necessary work. The judicial process is being conducted with utmost care under the coordination of the Afyonkarahisar Chief Public Prosecutor's Office."
