06.11.2026 07:00
It has emerged that Arif Sefa Özdemir, who killed 8 people with a shotgun in Afyonkarahisar, introduced himself as an MİT officer while fleeing and robbed two young people of their car. The suspect, who threatened the young people with a shotgun and took their phones, got stuck in the mud while fleeing with the vehicle he had robbed. Özdemir, who left the car and fled on foot, was caught in Eskişehir after robbing another vehicle as well.
The armed attacks that occurred in Afyonkarahisar on November 5 have plunged Turkey into mourning. According to the allegation, Arif Sefa Özdemir first opened fire with a shotgun on Sevgi Postalcı, a mother of three who was preparing to get into her vehicle in the Osman Gazi Neighborhood in the city center. Postalcı, who was seriously injured in the head, was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery.
The suspect then headed to Yukarıtandır, Ayazini and Kıyır villages of İhsaniye district. There he opened fire with a shotgun on people in vehicles at different points. In the attacks, 8 people lost their lives, while it was reported that the health condition of Sevgi Postalcı, who was injured in the first attack, remains serious.
IDENTITIES OF THE 8 PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN DETERMINED
Those who lost their lives in the attacks were identified as Ahmet Uzel (57), Bekir Toprak (50), Noman Toprak (56), Seydi Ahmet Aydoğmuş (73), Satı Aydoğmuş (68), İsmail Şen (61), Hilal Mete (31) and Ayşe Sena Demir (46). It was learned that two teachers were among those who lost their lives.
While the bodies were taken to the morgue of the Forensic Medicine Institute at Afyonkarahisar State Hospital for autopsy procedures, the reason why the attacks were carried out has not yet become clear.
HE PRESENTED HIMSELF AS A MİT OFFICER
After the massacre, it emerged that Arif Sefa Özdemir, who fled, came across two young people at the Çatören Dam location in Kırka Neighborhood of Seyitgazi district in Eskişehir. The suspect introduced himself to 19-year-old Talha Gökgöz, who was in the car with his friend, as a member of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT).
Özdemir, who began searching the young people's car, asked whether there were drugs in the vehicle. Then the suspect, who took the young people's phones, drew his gun and threatened the two. Talha Gökgöz, upon the shotgun being pointed at his friend, had to give the keys of his car with plate 26 APL 557 to the suspect.
"HE POINTED THE SHOTGUN AT US; I THOUGHT HE WOULD KILL US"
Talha Gökgöz, describing the moments of fear he experienced, said that while he and his friend had stopped by the roadside to smoke, the suspect came up to them.
Gökgöz described the moment of the incident with these words: "We were in Kırka Neighborhood of Seyitgazi district. My friend and I stopped with the car to smoke. The suspect pulled up next to us with his car. He introduced himself as a MİT officer. At that moment he started searching the car. He asked if there were drugs. He took our phones. He took a gun out of the car, and when he also put in bullets, I thought he would kill us, and then we thought he would take the car and leave. "
"I GAVE THE KEY SO THAT NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN TO MY FRIEND"
Gökgöz, stating that they were afraid of the suspect's behavior, said they saw liquor bottles in the vehicle and thought Özdemir was drunk. The young man, explaining that at that time he was not aware of the murders in Afyonkarahisar, stated that he handed over the car key because he feared for his friend's life.
Gökgöz used the following statements: "He turned it toward my friend, so I took out the key. We retrieved our phones from the cliff where he made us throw them and called 112. There were liquor bottles in his car; we realized he was drunk and did not ask for much identification. Since I had no knowledge of the murders, I thought he would take the car and flee. It was a process full of fear. When he pointed the shotgun at my friend, I gave him the key so that nothing would happen to him. If we had not given it, he would have shot both me and my friend. "
THE CAR HE SEIZED GOT STUCK IN THE MUD
Özdemir, who seized the young people's car, proceeded with the vehicle to Taşlık Neighborhood. However, when the car got stuck in the mud, he could not continue on his way. The suspect, leaving the vehicle where it was, fled on foot for a while.
Talha Gökgöz, describing the location where his car was found, said, "He also got the car stuck in the mud in this area and could not continue. He fled on foot. "
HE SEIZED A SECOND CAR AND WAS CAUGHT
It emerged that Arif Sefa Özdemir, whose first car got stuck in the mud, seized another car to continue his escape. As a result of extensive work by security forces, the suspect was caught in Seyitgazi district of Eskişehir. It was reported that during the capture, the tires of the vehicle the suspect was using were shot. It was also learned that two gendarmerie personnel were slightly injured in the operation.
HE WAS TAKEN TO THE POLICE FOR QUESTIONING
The suspect, who was taken into custody, was brought to Eskişehir Yunus Emre State Hospital under extensive security measures. Arif Sefa Ö., who underwent a health check at the hospital, was taken to the police station for questioning after procedures. The investigation into the incident continues.
3 PUBLIC PROSECUTORS ARE CONDUCTING THE INVESTIGATION
Arif Sefa Özdemir, who was detained in Eskişehir, was handed over to Afyonkarahisar teams after being subjected to a health check. It was learned that the suspect divorced his wife about 2 years ago, is the father of one child and is engaged in farming.
The investigation into the attacks in which eight people lost their lives is being conducted by 3 public prosecutors under the coordination of the Afyonkarahisar Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The reason why the suspect carried out the attacks has not yet been determined.
MINISTER GÖKTAŞ: WE ARE WITH OUR FAMILIES WITH OUR PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT TEAMS
Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced that after the armed attack in Afyonkarahisar, Psychosocial Support Teams are with families in the field and in the hospital. In a post on her social media account, Minister Göktaş said, "I wish God's mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives in the tragic incident in Afyonkarahisar; I offer my condolences to their families and relatives. I wish urgent recovery to our citizen who was injured and taken to the hospital in the incident. We are with our families in the field and in the hospital with our Psychosocial Support Teams. We will continue to provide our families with the support they need during this process."
A BROADCAST BAN HAS BEEN IMPOSED REGARDING THE ATTACK
The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) announced that a broadcast ban decision has been made within the scope of the investigation into the armed attack in Afyonkarahisar.
In the statement made on RTÜK's social media account, it was said, "In line with the decision of the Afyonkarahisar 1st Criminal Court of Peace No. 2026/5725 D. İş, within the scope of investigation No. 2026/21952 conducted by the Afyonkarahisar Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a publication ban has been imposed regarding the armed attack that occurred in Afyonkarahisar. The relevant decision is important in terms of preventing news published in a manner that could create nationwide outrage by distorting events and spreading false information through the press, as well as the seriousness of the incident and the proper conduct of the investigation. It is strongly reminded that, within the framework of Law No. 6112 and relevant legislation, broadcasting organizations must meticulously comply with the said court decision." .