16.04.2026 07:10
While the investigation into the armed attack organized at a school in Kahramanmaraş continues, the father of the attacker, İsa Aras Mersinli, Uğur Mersinli, was arrested. The General Directorate of Security announced that a reference to an attacker in the USA was found in the attacker's digital traces. While the materials seized in the house and vehicle were taken under examination, it was reported that the incident had no terrorist connection and was evaluated as an individual attack.
While the investigation into the armed attack that took place at a school in Kahramanmaraş continues, it was announced that the attacker İsa Aras Mersinli's father, Uğur Mersinli, has been arrested.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF SECURITY
The General Directorate of Security (EGM) announced in a statement from its social media account that the investigation into the attack is continuing in all aspects. The statement indicated that initial examinations determined that the attacker used an image on his WhatsApp profile referencing Elliot Rodger, who carried out an attack in the USA in 2014.
HIS FATHER WAS DETAINED AND ARRESTED
The EGM reported that the father of the person who carried out the attack, Uğur Mersinli, was detained on April 15th and was arrested by the judicial authorities to which he was referred. It was stated that digital materials obtained during searches at the suspect's residence and in his father's vehicle were seized and taken for examination.
NO TERROR CONNECTION DETECTED
The statement noted that the crime scene investigation work has been completed and all evidence, including camera footage, is being meticulously evaluated. It was conveyed that, according to initial findings, there is no detection of any terrorist connection to the attack, and the incident is being assessed as an individual attack.
IDENTITIES OF THE DECEASED DETERMINED
The identities of the 9 people who lost their lives in the armed attack carried out by 14-year-old İsa Aras Mersinli at Ayser Çalık Middle School and whose autopsies are continuing at the Kahramanmaraş Forensic Medicine Institute morgue have been determined.
The names of the 1 educator and 8 students who lost their lives in the attack are as follows: "Teacher Ayla Kara (56), students Mustafa Aslan, Şuranur Sevgi Kazıcı, Zeynep Kılınç, Furkan Sancak Balal (11), Bayram Nabi Şişik (10), Belinay Nur Poyraz (10), Adnan Göktürk Yeşil (11), and Kerem Erdem Güngör."
TREATMENT OF THE INJURED CONTINUES
On the other hand, it was reported that 11 people injured in the attack have been discharged after their treatment, while the treatment of 9 others continues in 5 different hospitals. It was learned that 6 of the injured are in critical condition.
TWO-DAY BREAK IN EDUCATION IN THE CITY
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi stated that the incident is being investigated from multiple angles. Çiftçi said that education has been suspended for two days in Kahramanmaraş. Minister Çiftçi continued his words as follows: "I pray to God for mercy for all our students and teacher who lost their lives in this heinous attack. I offer my condolences to their relatives, I offer my condolences to our noble nation.
"THE INCIDENT IS AN INDIVIDUAL EVENT CARRIED OUT BY A STUDENT"
I also pray to the Almighty God for a speedy recovery for all our injured whose treatments continue in our hospitals. Immediately upon hearing the news of the incident, together with our Minister of National Education, our Minister of Health, and our Minister of Justice, we proceeded to the scene. Our Minister of Family is also on the way, she will arrive soon. Our esteemed members of parliament are here.
We have also kept our esteemed President informed of the process from the beginning of the incident, moment by moment. I want to state once again; the incident is solely an individual event carried out by one of our students; it is not a terrorist incident. Therefore, I want to express once again that we are extremely saddened that such an incident occurred yesterday in Şanlıurfa and today in Maraş."
INVESTIGATION INITIATED
Minister of Justice Gürlek, in a statement made after the attack, said: "Regarding the armed attack that occurred at a school in Kahramanmaraş, an investigation has been immediately initiated by the Kahramanmaraş Republic Chief Public Prosecutor's Office; 3 Deputy Republic Chief Public Prosecutors and 4 Republic Prosecutors have been assigned. Our Chief Public Prosecutor and the assigned Republic Prosecutors continue their examinations at the scene. A publication ban decision has been taken for the integrity of the investigation, and it is important for our press organizations to meticulously comply with the confidentiality of the investigation. Necessary information regarding all stages of the investigation will be provided by the authorized bodies."
8 INSPECTORS ASSIGNED
In a statement made from the Ministry of Interior's social media account, it was stated that, regarding the armed attack, Minister Çiftçi assigned 4 chief administrative inspectors and 4 chief police inspectors to investigate the incident in all aspects. In the statement, which reported that Çiftçi urgently moved to the scene, the following was recorded: "Our Republic Prosecutors assigned under the coordination of our Republic Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continue their examinations at the scene. A publication ban decision has been taken for the integrity and healthy execution of the investigation. In this context, it is of great importance for our press and broadcasting organizations to meticulously comply with the confidentiality of the investigation. We pray to God for mercy for our citizens who lost their lives, offer condolences to their grieving families, and wish a speedy recovery to our injured citizens. Necessary information regarding all stages of the investigation will be provided by the authorized bodies."
EXHIBITED STRANGE BEHAVIOR DURING CLASS
Footage of İsa Aras Mersinli, who killed 9 people (eight students and one teacher) and injured 20 in an armed attack he carried out at a middle school in Kahramanmaraş before committing suicide, taken some time before the incident, has surfaced. In a video recorded by his classmates during a lesson, Mersinli is seen wandering aimlessly inside the classroom and exhibiting strange attitudes that disturbed those around him. The suspect's unbalanced movements drew attention in the said footage. The investigation initiated regarding the incident continues.
HAD THREATENED CLASSMATES BEFORE
After the incident, a student studying at the school where the attack took place described what happened with the words: "We were sitting at home with friends. Suddenly, sounds came. There were those jumping from the window, those trying to escape. There were many students, we saw blood. We got scared, we moved away first. Then we came back to try to learn what happened. The police came."
The student, also claiming that the attacker had made threats towards his friends before, said: "He told our friend 'I will kill you'. We heard this from our friend. Because he was in that class. We experienced great panic after hearing the gunshots."