Police Crackdown on Online Support for School Shootings in Turkey

Thu Apr 16 2026 20:32:21 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Following two tragic school shootings, Turkish authorities have arrested 83 individuals for praising the attacks online. This crackdown comes amidst a national mourning period for the victims.

In a swift response to recent school shootings that left at least nine dead, Turkish police have arrested 83 people for online posts that allegedly glorified the attacks. The crackdown includes blocking access to hundreds of social media accounts and shutting down several Telegram groups. The shootings, which occurred just a day apart, have shaken the region and prompted an investigation into the attacker's motives, including disturbing online behavior and references to notorious mass killers.

In a decisive move following two deadly school shootings that took place earlier this week in Turkey, police have initiated a crackdown resulting in the arrest of 83 individuals. These individuals are accused of engaging in controversial online activities, which include praising the gunmen and their actions. Authorities stated that these posts jeopardized public order and safety.

Specifically, the police have blocked access to 940 social media accounts and shut down 93 Telegram groups connected to this troubling content. The school shooting in southern Turkey on Wednesday claimed the lives of at least nine people, including eight students and a teacher, while another assault the day before injured 16 others at a separate institution.

In a particularly tragic incident in the Kahramanmaras province, the attacker, a 14-year-old, died during the shooting at Ayser Calik Secondary School. The gunman reportedly entered multiple classrooms armed with five firearms and seven magazines.

Local prosecutors investigating the case uncovered that the suspect had planned the attack in advance, finding documents on his computer that indicated an intent to carry out a significant operation. Additionally, concerningly, the assailant appeared to idolize mass killers, including referencing Elliot Rodger, who perpetrated a deadly rampage in the US in 2014.

The response from law enforcement underlines a broader societal issue regarding online discourse surrounding violence and its implications for public safety. The horrific nature of these school shootings has united the community in mourning as funerals for the victims are held, with government officials expected to attend.