On Tuesday, a gunman opened fire outside a primary school in Istanbul's Kadıköy district, wounding eleven people before police detained him.

The attacker was apprehended shortly after the incident, police said.

Emergency services arrived within minutes, treating a mixture of children, teachers and nearby residents for gunshot wounds and shock. Hospital officials confirmed that none of the injured were in life‑threatening condition, though several required surgery.

Police say shooter is in custody

Turkish police released footage showing a man with a handgun moving through the schoolyard moments before the shots rang out. The suspect, identified only by his age range, was wrestled to the ground by officers on the scene and taken to a local precinct for questioning.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive, but said the investigation is ongoing and that they are reviewing CCTV and witness statements to establish a possible link to extremist groups or personal grievances.

Victims receive medical care

Eleven victims – seven children aged between six and twelve, two teachers and two passers‑by – were transported to Istanbul’s Şişli Hospital and other nearby clinics. Doctors reported that the injuries ranged from superficial grazes to bullet fragments lodged in the torso, but all are expected to recover fully.

Parents gathered outside the hospital, many clutching blankets and phones, while school staff coordinated with authorities to account for all pupils. A counsellor was dispatched to the school to provide immediate psychological support.

Security concerns linger

The incident adds to a string of attacks on educational institutions in Turkey over the past decade, including the 2012 Ankara school bombing and the 2020 Istanbul vocational college siege. Security experts note that the country has tightened school safety protocols, but critics argue that enforcement remains uneven.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the attack in a televised address, urging swift justice and promising a review of security measures at schools nationwide. The Interior Ministry announced that additional police patrols will be deployed to vulnerable sites over the coming weeks.

Human rights groups called for a transparent investigation, warning that an over‑reliance on punitive measures without addressing underlying social tensions could fuel further violence.

Police have not ruled out the possibility of an accomplice, and a manhunt continues for any individuals linked to the suspect. The Ministry of Education has postponed classes at the affected school for the remainder of the week while forensic teams process the scene.