16.04.2026 14:35
It has been revealed that Isa Aras Mersinli, who carried out the armed attack at Ayser Çalık Middle School in Onikişubat district of Kahramanmaraş, resulting in the deaths of 8 students and 1 teacher and injuring 17 students, featured a picture of the 'incel' Elliot Rodger—who killed 6 people in the USA in 2014 and then committed suicide—on his WhatsApp profile photo.
Following an armed attack on a high school in Şanlıurfa on Tuesday, this time in Kahramanmaraş, 16-year-old İsa Aras Mersinli carried out an armed attack on the middle school he attended. In the attack that shook Turkey, 1 teacher and 8 students lost their lives, and 17 students were injured.
HE STORMED THE SCHOOL WITH HIS FATHER'S WEAPONS
Mersinli, who placed 5 guns and 7 magazines belonging to his father, First Class Security Director Police Chief Inspector Uğur Mersinli, into his backpack and went to Ayser Çalık Middle School around noon, opened fire indiscriminately at students and teachers. In the attack, mathematics teacher Ayla Kara and 8 students lost their lives, and 17 students were injured. The attacker committed suicide with the weapon he used in the incident.
DETAIL ON WHATSAPP PROFILE SHOCKED
The detail that emerged after the attack caused public outrage. It was determined that Mersinli, born in 2008, had Elliot Rodger, who killed 6 people in an attack he carried out in the USA in 2014, in his WhatsApp profile picture. Rodger had committed suicide after carrying out the attack in Isla Vista, California on May 23, 2014.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE POLICE
The Turkish Police Organization stated in its statement regarding the incident that the investigation is continuing in multiple directions. The statement expressed that it was determined the attacker used an image referencing Elliot Rodger on his WhatsApp profile. It was reported that the attacker's father, U.M., was detained on April 15, 2026, and arrested by the court. Digital materials obtained during searches of the home and vehicle were taken for examination. It was conveyed that the crime scene investigation work has been completed and all evidence, including camera footage, is being meticulously evaluated. It was emphasized that according to initial findings, the attack is assessed to have no terrorist connection and is an individual attack. The public was requested not to rely on misleading shares.
ATTACKER'S OLD FOOTAGE BECAME AN AGENDA
On the other hand, footage of the attacker İsa Aras Mersinli recorded in the classroom weeks before the incident also came to the agenda. While the unusual movements in the footage drew attention, experts stated that these behaviors could indicate a special condition. Experts also expressed that it should be investigated why the attacker was not receiving education in special needs classes.
WHAT IS THE 'INCEL' MOVEMENT?
The term "Incel" is derived from the English phrase "involuntary celibacy" and is generally used to describe individuals who harbor hostility towards women and society and promote violence.
"Incels" often define themselves as a group who believe they are deprived of romantic relationships because they are "ugly," "poor," or possess other negative attributes.
The combination of this situation with the belief that women will never show interest in them fuels their hostility towards women, hate speech, and violence. In recent years, this anger has reached a point extending to murders.
According to the "hypergamy" theory advocated by incels, women only have relationships with "handsome," "rich," and "high-status" men. This belief has become a foundation that incel groups use to justify their anger towards women and certain segments of society.