Prague school hit by shooting stays closed till February


PRAGUE, Czech Republic - The Faculty of Arts at Prague's Charles University, where a student killed 14 people earlier this month, said Friday it would remain closed until at least the end of January.

It also said its students would not be required to take exams after the winter term ending on January 12.

A 24-year-old student opened fire at the faculty on December 21, killing 14 people and then himself. Twenty-four people were wounded.

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TOPSHOT - People look at candles placed on the stairs of the building of the Philosophical Faculty of the Charles University in central Prague, on December 24, 2023. A 24-year-old student opened fire at the Faculty of Arts on December 21, 2023, killing 13 people and then himself. Another person died in hospital later on. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)

"All (student) assessments will be conducted on a voluntary basis, and the format may be adjusted depending on the circumstances," the faculty said on its website.

"We want to assure you that even if you do not receive any credits for the winter semester, you will be able to continue your studies confidently and successfully complete your program in the future," it added.

In the run-up to Christmas, the attack shook the EU and NATO member country of 10.8 million people where similar shootings are rare.

Police said the student had also killed two randomly chosen people on the outskirts of Prague on December 15 -- a young father and his two-month-old daughter.

On the day of the shooting, the man also murdered his father in the house where they lived together.

The gunman's motives have not yet been revealed.