IZMIR, Turkey (BN24) — A 16-year-old gunman opened fire on a police station in western Turkey on Monday, killing two police officers and wounding at least six others in a shocking assault that officials say was carried out with a pump-action shotgun.
The attack took place in the Balcova district of Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city, drawing heavy police and emergency response to the scene. Witnesses reported chaos as gunfire erupted inside the station, forcing bystanders to flee for safety.
Authorities said the teenager, who was masked during the assault, was swiftly overpowered and arrested. Izmir Chief Prosecutor Ali Yeldan confirmed that investigators are probing the motive, though early reports from Turkish media suggest the suspect acted out of retaliation after an earlier encounter with police.
According to private broadcaster NTV, the teen had been released from custody only days before the attack. The network reported that he blamed police officers for alleged mistreatment during detention and targeted the station in response.
The rampage left two police officers dead and several others wounded, along with civilians who were caught in the gunfire. Victims were rushed to nearby hospitals as security forces sealed off the area.
The teenager’s use of a pump-action shotgun has raised renewed concerns in Turkey about access to firearms among youth and the rising trend of targeted attacks on law enforcement.
As night fell in Izmir, police cordoned off the Balcova station while forensic teams collected evidence from the site. The Interior Ministry condemned the shooting, calling it a “heinous attack on those who protect our citizens,” and vowed accountability.
The attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents in Turkey involving minors, a growing concern for authorities and communities already grappling with political unrest and security threats.
