PRAGUE — The Czech Republic got here to a standstill at midday Saturday as individuals throughout the nation noticed a minute of silence for the victims of its worst mass killing that left 14 useless and questions in regards to the shooter’s motive.
Nationwide flags on public buildings flew at half-staff and bells tolled at midday. President Petr Pavel and audio system of each homes of Parliament attended a Mass for the victims at St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, the nation’s largest, which was packed.
“We’re all nonetheless in a shock in our personal methods,” Prague Archbishop Jan Graubner stated. “We have to clearly condemn what occurred however we additionally have to look into the long run.”
“No person must be left alone in these robust moments,” Charles College rector Milena Kralickova stated in her remarks towards the top of the Mass. The taking pictures occurred contained in the college’s College of Arts on Thursday. Twenty-five different individuals had been wounded earlier than the gunman killed himself.
Police and prosecutors stated they’ve proof the 24-year-old shooter additionally killed his father earlier within the day and a person and a child in Prague final week.
Comparable spiritual companies had been held in different cities and cities, whereas Christmas markets in quite a lot of locations had been closed or decreased their applications amid boosted safety measures.
A sea of candles was shining at an impromptu memorial for the victims in entrance of the college headquarters.
“It’s been a horrible expertise for us all however it nonetheless can’t be in contrast with what the victims needed to expertise on the time of the assault and what their expensive ones must expertise now,” stated Milos Vystrcil, speaker of the Senate who got here to mild a candle.
“I feel that to assist them at this level we categorical our help and that’s what we’re all doing now.”
The 14 fatalities are being slowly recognized. The college confirmed two workers members had been amongst them, together with the pinnacle of the Institute of Music Sciences, Lenka Hlávková. First-year scholar Lucie Špindlerová additionally was killed, stated the Lidove noviny each day, the place she labored.
Among the many different college students had been Aneta Richterová, in response to her group of volunteer firefighters within the city of Helichovky; Klára Holcová, 20, a proficient shot putter who received 9 medals at nationwide championships, the Czech athletics affiliation stated; and Magdalena Křístková, her hometown of Roztoky confirmed.
The shooter was Czech and a scholar on the College of Arts. Investigators don’t suspect a hyperlink to any extremist ideology or teams. Officers stated they believed he acted alone however his motive will not be but clear.
Beforehand, the nation’s worst mass taking pictures was in 2015, when a gunman opened fireplace within the southeastern city of Uhersky Brod, killing eight earlier than fatally taking pictures himself.