The 2026 Onikişubat school shooting in Turkey left 11 dead and 19 injured after a 14-year-old opened fire inside a school in Kahramanmaraş Province.
ONİKİŞUBAT, TURKEY — A mass shooting at a school in the Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş Province in 2026 left 11 people dead and 19 others injured, in what authorities have described as one of the deadliest school attacks in Turkey’s history.
The incident unfolded on April 15, 2026, at Ayser Çalık Secondary School, where a student opened fire inside the building, triggering panic among students and staff.
What happened
According to early investigative reports, the attacker, identified as 14-year-old İsa Aras Mersinli, entered the school armed with multiple firearms and opened fire during school hours. The attack quickly spread through classrooms, forcing students and teachers to flee in panic, with some reportedly jumping from windows to escape.
The shooting resulted in multiple fatalities on the scene, while several others were critically injured before emergency services arrived.
Police and emergency response
Local police units and emergency responders were dispatched immediately after reports of gunfire. The school was placed under lockdown as security forces moved in to evacuate students, secure the building, and provide medical assistance to the wounded.
During the incident, the attacker was eventually stopped after being confronted by school staff and a parent who intervened. Reports indicate the suspect later died from injuries sustained during the confrontation.
Victims and casualties
Authorities confirmed that 11 people were killed, including both students and a teacher, while 19 others were injured, some critically. Hospitals in the region were placed on emergency alert as victims were transported for urgent treatment.
Suspect details
The suspect was identified as a student at the same school. Investigators are examining how the firearms were obtained and the circumstances leading up to the attack. The motive remains under investigation, with officials reviewing digital activity, family background, and possible warning signs.
Community reaction
The attack sent shockwaves through the local community and across Turkey, with parents rushing to schools in nearby areas to pick up their children. The region experienced heightened police presence and emergency security measures following the incident.
Public grief and concern quickly spread, with calls for stricter school safety measures and stronger controls on firearm access.
Official response
Turkish authorities launched a full investigation into the shooting, including how weapons were accessed and whether the attack could have been prevented. Education and interior officials have both stated that school safety protocols are under review following the tragedy.
Closing
The Onikişubat school shooting remains under active investigation, with authorities continuing to analyze evidence and interview witnesses. The incident has become one of the most significant school violence events in Turkey’s history, raising urgent questions about school security and youth mental health.