Thursday’s shooting at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University claimed the lives of 14 people, leaving behind a trail of sorrow and grief. Here are the heartfelt stories of some of the victims, whose dreams and aspirations were abruptly cut short. Lenka Hlávková In a somber announcement, the Institute of Musicology shared the tragic news of Lenka Hlávková’s demise. The director of the institute fell victim to the senseless violence. “This is extremely cruel news for all of us. Let us remain in mutual support,” the institute wrote on its Facebook page. Lucie Špindlerová A student and proofreader at Lidové noviny.“It is with deep regret that we announce that our colleague, proofreader, first-year student of Czech in Communication for the Deaf and, above all, friend Lucie Špindlerová did not survive yesterday’s attack at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University. We express our deepest condolences to all the survivors, especially to the family. This is extremely painful news for us,” Lidové noviny wrote. Magdalena Křístková Magdalena Křístková, a student from Roztoky, was studying communication for the deaf when tragedy struck. The municipality of Roztoky shared the heartbreaking news and remembered Majda as a joyful, kind, and...
Organizers of Prague’s largest Christmas fairs on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square have decided to cancel the entire concert program on both markets for December 22 and 23. This move serves as a poignant gesture of mourning for the victims of the recent shooting tragedy at the Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University. During these two days, visitors will not be treated to the usual festive light and music performance on the main city Christmas tree, located on the Old Town Square. Typically scheduled at 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, and 21:30, the lights on the holiday tree follow a special sequence, synchronized with the renowned Czech fairy tale “Three Nuts for Cinderella” by composer Karel Svoboda. Visitors can look forward to its return on Sunday, December 24. Gana Tizje, a representative of the long-standing Prague company Taiko responsible for organizing the markets, remarked, “Today, the music is also muffled on the market, and on Saturday we will turn it off completely.” As a reminder, on December 21, a tragic incident unfolded at the Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University, resulting in the loss of 14 lives and leaving 25 others with injuries of varying severity. This marks the...
Police have so far identified 13 of the fourteen victims of Thursday’s shooting. According to Seznam Zpravy, among the injured, there are three foreign nationals – one citizen of the Netherlands, two citizens of the United Arab Emirates. After the shooting at Charles University, the police took preventive measures aimed at schools and other so-called soft targets. “Starting today, we have adopted nationwide PREVENTIVE measures in relation to soft targets and schools. We have no information about any specific threat and it is a prevention – a signal that we are here and we are ready,” informs the police on the X network. Mezi zraněnými po útoku střelce na Filozofické fakultě UK jsou tři cizinci – jeden občan Nizozemska, dva občané Spojených arabských emirátů. — Ministerstvo vnitra (@vnitro) December 22, 2023 “At the moment we are still working at the scene of the shooting. We have identified 11 deceased and are working to confirm other identities. We expect the completion of the initial on-site operations in the morning”. In the meantime, people have been laying flowers and lighting candles outside Carolinum, the seat of Charles University in Prague. Rector Milena Králíčková said the university has launched a crisis chat service for...
The Czech government has decided to declare a day of national mourning on December 23 to honor the memory of the victims, following a shooting at the university. “We call on citizens to honor the victims with a minute of silence that day at noon. We asked governors and state administration authorities to ring the bells throughout the Czech Republic at 12 o’clock,” said Prime Minister Petr Fiala. It also ordered the Minister for Justice to provide maximum cooperation to survivors in dealing with claims for compensation under the Victims of Crime Act. What happened A gunman has shot dead 15 people and injured another 24 at the Faculty of Arts in Prague, officials say, in the deadliest attack in modern Czech history. Police say the 24-year-old gunman was also “eliminated” following the shooting at Charles University. University staff were told to barricade themselves in rooms during the attack. The shooting started at about 15:00 at the university’s on Jan Palach Square. Dramatic footage later emerged on social media showing some people jumping to safety from one of the building’s ledges several storeys up, and gunshots are also heard. In a separate video, terrified crowds are seen fleeing the area...
World leaders have reacted to this afternoon’s shooting at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts in central Prague, which has left at least 15 dead and dozens injured. “I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the Czech people as a whole,” Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said in a post on X on Thursday. “We stand and mourn with you.” Shocked by the senseless violence of the shooting that claimed several lives today in Prague. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the Czech people as a whole. We stand and mourn with you. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 21, 2023 President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola tweeted. “We should leave no place for such violence in our societies,” Metsola emphasized, underlining the need for concerted efforts to prevent such incidents in the future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed these sentiments, expressing regret and emphasizing that the victims were innocent individuals. Jsem hluboce zděšena útokem na Univerzitě Karlově v Praze. Je srdcervoucí vidět jednu z nejstarších evropských univerzit jako dějiště teroru. V myšlenkách jsem s rodinami obětí a přeji brzké uzdravení zraněným. Evropa...
14 people were killed and several injured, some of them seriously, in a shooting at Prague’s Faculty of Philosophy on Thursday afternoon. The incident happened at around three o’clock at the faculty’s main building on Jan Palach Square in the city centre, the police have said. The shooter, who is believed to have acted alone, was killed by the police and the building was evacuated. The entire area around the square remains closed off, and traffic is been diverted. “Based on initial information we can confirm there are dead and injured people at the site,” police said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said no other assailant was at the scene, but he urged people to cooperate with police. Prague’s rescue service confirmed that about 30 others suffered various injuries. Pavel Nedoma, the director of Rudolfinum Gallery, which also is located in the square, told Czech public television he saw from a window a person who was shooting from a gun toward the nearby Manes bridge across the Vltava River. LIVE UPDATES December 22, 2023 20:05 The 24-year-old had a proclivity for firearms, with a license to own eight guns, including two long guns,...
LATEST: Police said the shooter was neutralized shortly before 4 p.m. “The shooter has been eliminated!!! The entire building is currently being evacuated and there are several dead and dozens injured,” police wrote on X. Police have not yet released a description of the shooter, and it’s unclear what the motive could be. In a shocking turn of events, a shooting has taken place at the Faculty of Arts building on Palach Square in the heart of Prague. The incident has prompted a swift response from law enforcement, who are currently on-site managing the situation. Preliminary reports confirm both fatalities and injuries at the scene, as announced by the police on the social network X. Authorities have cordoned off Jan Palach Square and its surrounding areas, redirecting traffic away from the affected zone. The website tn.cz published a photograph of an armed man on the roof of the building. It also wrote that an explosion was heard from the scene. According to a source from the Faculty of Arts speaking to Seznam Zprávy, employees were instructed to take immediate safety measures. This includes staying in place, securing their offices, barricading doors, and turning off lights. The alleged shooter is reported...
Police are actively pursuing the killer responsible for shooting a two-month-old baby and her 32-year-old father in Klánovické les. Recent information suggests detectives are searching for a foreigner who may have known the victim. The tragic incident occurred during a meeting in the forest, ending in cold-blooded murder. Evidence indicates a conflict between the men, leading to multiple gunshots and four fatal head wounds. The police have created an identikit and are conducting standard criminal procedures, including scene examination and footage analysis, to apprehend the suspect. A witness, located 200 meters away, attempted resuscitation but couldn’t save the victims. A makeshift memorial has emerged at the crime scene. “A security search operation is underway in the Klánovický Forest on Tuesday. The right to provide information in the double murder case has been reserved by the Municipal State Prosecutor’s Office in Prague, so we are no longer authorized to provide further information,” the police said on the social network X. Police spokesman Jan Rybanský also commented to the newspaper on the scene. “At the moment, a security search operation is underway in the Klánovický les (Klánovice Forest), involving 250 police officers. There are officers from the special riot unit, from local...
In the evolving tale of Czech cronuts, the doughnuts crafted from croissant dough, the chapters continue. Contrary to the initial announcement, the Oh Deer Bakery’s branches have not bid farewell; they are thriving under fresh management. David Beránek, the new owner, has not only taken the reins but has also bestowed a new identity upon them—Luna Bakery. The final unveiling of this rebranding is anticipated in the coming weeks. Since December 15, the two shops located at Dejvická 34 and Purkynova 2, are now managed by David Beránek. Not a novice in the gastronomic scene, Beránek is also the CEO of La Cucina and behind several other culinary ventures. The new website states “Dear customers, just like a marriage sometimes breaks up, our relationship with the founder of OH DEER Bakery, Lukáš Vašek, has ended. As the producers of the products and owners of the two branches in Purkyňova and Dejvicka, we will continue to operate the bakery with our own products that you were used to buying from us or Rohlik. During the following months, we will rebrand and operate the branches under a new name. The assortment will not change, you can buy kroblihy, bread, sweet pastries and...
If gathering around the table with a homecooked traditional meal sounds a bit too labor intensive, you’ll be glad to know that while many Prague restaurants close over the holidays, a handful will be offering Christmas feasts on December 24-25. Mama Shelter Hotel in Prague is gearing up to treat locals and expats alike to a special Christmas menu on December 24-25. This Christmas, it invites guests to embark on a gastronomic journey featuring a blend of traditional Czech flavors and international delights. Mama Shelter presents a menu that captures the essence of Czech Christmas traditions. Among the tempting starters is the iconic mushroom Kuba, and a fish soup with roe, root vegetables, and croutons. Turning the spotlight to Czech classics, the main course features a duck served with cabbage. This dish, steeped in tradition, brings forth the warmth and comfort associated with Christmas feasts. You can also try the unique combination of ginger hummus with eggplant rolls, a fusion that marries Middle Eastern and European influences. Reservations are possible at [email protected] Prices for three three-course menu is CZK 960 including a welcome drink, live music, and a small Mama present!
The Embassy of Israel has expressed its gratitude to the Czech Republic through a series of impactful billboards placed across Prague and highways. The gesture comes in response to the unwavering support Israel received from Czech citizens following the attack by the Palestinian movement Hamas. Petra Mohylová, spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy, emphasized the significance of the Czech society’s support during these challenging times. “Just like the Israelis in Prague, the Israelis at the embassy, and all of Israel, feel the support of Czech society at this very difficult time. That’s why we wanted to express our thanks in a visible way so that people here would know,” she explained to iDNES.cz. The billboards with the message “Israel thanks,” appeared in Prague and other locations in early December. The Israeli Embassy, in collaboration with the Jewish Community Center Prague (JCC Prague), shared their appreciation on social media, declaring, “For us, the most beautiful billboard in Prague! Thank you, Czech Republic.” In total, there are eleven billboards, with five situated in Prague and others placed on major highways. The D5 motorway features three billboards, including two near the Rozvadov border crossing, while the D3, D10, and D4 motorways also boast expressions...
Tragedy struck in Prague’s Klánovice forest as police have confirmed a double murder, with one victim being a child. The case was first reported on Friday after gunshots were heard in the forest near Čmelická Street. Police patrols subsequently discovered two lifeless bodies at the scene. Authorities classified the incident as murder on Saturday morning, launching an investigation to apprehend the perpetrator. “Standard criminal proceedings are currently in progress, encompassing the thorough examination of the crime scene, evaluation of collected traces, scrutiny of CCTV footage, and investigation of pertinent locations to identify and apprehend the suspect,” the police elaborated. According to iDnes.cz, the deceased were identified as a man and a child. The police discovered the two bodies following a witness’s report to the emergency line around 3 p.m., citing gunshots heard in the nearby woods. The case now falls under the jurisdiction of the Prague 1st Police Department. Praha: Kriminalisté v průběhu včerejšího odpoledne kvalifikovali případ v Klánovickém lese jako dvojnásobnou vraždu. Těmto skutečnostem odpovídala i následně přijatá bezpečnostní opatření. #policiepha — Policie ČR (@PolicieCZ) December 16, 2023
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