18.05.2026 20:50
Mehmet Han Topal, an employee at a restaurant who was injured in the shotgun attack that killed six people in Mersin, described the moment of terror. Topal said, "We thought he was going to take out his phone, but suddenly he pulled out a pistol and shot him in the mouth. I was bending down, and he shot at me. The bullet grazed my ear. He also fired at me from across the counter. It hit my hip. I threw myself outside in a panic."
The number of people killed in armed attacks carried out by a person at different locations after killing his ex-wife in Mersin has risen to 6. Mehmet Han Topal, a restaurant worker who survived the attack with injuries, said, 'We thought he was going to take out his phone or something, but he suddenly pulled out a pistol and fired point-blank. I was bending down, and he shot at me.'
SPREAD TERROR WITH A PUMP-ACTION SHOTGUN
The toll has worsened in the armed attacks carried out by a person at different locations after killing his ex-wife in Mersin. According to obtained information, Metin Ö. (37) killed his ex-wife Arzu Özden (32) by shooting her in the Darıpınarı neighborhood of Çamlıyayla district. After the incident, Metin Ö. fled and later arrived at a restaurant owned by Sabri Pan in the Kadelli Dörtler neighborhood of Tarsus district with the vehicle plate 01 B 9171 and opened fire. In the attack, business owner Sabri Pan died at the hospital he was taken to, while employee Ahmet Ercan Can lost his life at the scene.
The assailant, continuing to flee by vehicle, shot and killed Yusuf Oktay, who was grazing animals in the Kaburgediği neighborhood, and then shot and killed truck driver Abdullah Koca at a fuel station in the Yeniköy neighborhood. It was revealed that pump attendant Gökay Sefiloğlu, who was shot by the suspect at the station, also lost his life. It was learned that the suspect also wounded 8 people along the route during his attacks. The injured were taken by ambulances to Tarsus State Hospital and nearby hospitals for treatment.
VEHICLE OF THE ATTACKER WHO KILLED 6 PEOPLE FOUND
Following the atrocity in which 6 people were killed and 8 were injured, numerous gendarmerie teams were dispatched to the area to capture the suspect. While helicopter-supported efforts continue to catch the fleeing suspect, the car with plate 01 B 9171 in which the suspect fled was found in the rural area of Karakütük neighborhood. It was learned that the operation to capture the suspect, who is believed to have escaped into the forested area, is ongoing.
'I THREW MYSELF OUT IN A PANIC'
Mehmet Han Topal, a restaurant worker who survived the attack with injuries, described the terrifying moments. Topal said, 'We were working at the shop, we had a delivery order, and I was preparing it. Metin brother came and entered the shop. I said, 'Welcome, friend.' He didn't respond or say anything. Sabri brother was at the scale, weighing something like sausage or meat. We thought he was going to take out his phone or something, but he suddenly pulled out a pistol and fired point-blank. I was bending down, and he shot at me. It passed by my ear. Then he shot at Sabri brother, hitting him in the neck. After that, he came and shot at me again over the counter, hitting my hip. He went inside and shot Ahmet in the head. Then I threw myself outside in a panic and notified my friends. After that, he fled.'
Meanwhile, all the bodies were brought to the morgue at Tarsus State Hospital.