Armed individual shoots and fatally injures a 15-year-old girl at an Istanbul school, subsequently ending their own life on the premises.
In a shocking turn of events, Bogazici University, located in Istanbul, Turkey, was the site of a tragic shooting incident. The gunman, Ayberk Kurtulus, is accused of fatally shooting Hilal Ozdemir at Kennedy Lodge, a venue within the university's campus that is commonly rented for weddings and private events.
Kurtulus, who does not appear to have been a student at the university, gained unauthorized access to the campus event. Reports suggest that campus security protocols are under scrutiny, with sources alleging that X-ray screenings are not conducted at campus entrances during wedding events.
The victim, 15-year-old Hilal Ozdemir, was a server for a catering company working at the wedding reception. No details about the relationship between the victim and perpetrator have been disclosed by authorities. It is known, however, that Kurtulus tracked Ozdemir's location through her mobile phone before the attack.
The university's statement confirmed that a civilian was killed in an armed attack at the South Campus Kale Gate, and that Kurtulus later committed suicide with the same weapon. The attack took place at the Kennedy Lodge, a campus facility that is regularly rented for such events.
The prosecutor's office has launched a formal investigation into the shooting, and police and medical teams were swiftly dispatched to the scene. Bogazici University has expressed its condolences for the loss of life due to the shooting and confirmed its cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
It is important to note that Kurtulus had 24 separate criminal offenses on his record. This incident underscores the need for heightened security measures and vigilance in such settings to ensure the safety of all individuals.
As the investigation continues, the community at Bogazici University and beyond are left to grapple with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Hilal Ozdemir during this difficult time.
