A man accused of carrying out a deadly series of shootings in southern Turkey died by suicide after security forces tracked him down following a large-scale manhunt, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The violent attacks took place in Tarsus, located in Turkey’s Mersin province, where six people were killed and eight others were injured during multiple shootings across the area.
Deadly Shooting Spree Shocked Southern Turkey
Authorities said the 37-year-old suspect allegedly began the rampage by fatally shooting his wife in public before targeting several other locations throughout Tarsus.
Investigators believe the gunman later opened fire near a restaurant from his vehicle, killing the restaurant owner and an employee. Additional victims included a teenager, a middle-aged man, and another person killed in a separate neighborhood.
Emergency teams rushed the injured victims to nearby hospitals as police launched an intensive operation to locate the attacker.
Massive Police Search Ended Overnight
Turkish security forces used helicopters, drones, and armed police units during the overnight search operation.
According to local officials, the suspect was eventually located inside a house where he had reportedly been hiding. As officers surrounded the building, the gunman died by suicide before being taken into custody.
The incident brought heavy security presence to the area while forensic teams continued collecting evidence from multiple crime scenes.
Concerns Rise Over Increasing Gun Violence
Officials from the Mersin governor’s office stated that the suspect reportedly had a history of substance abuse and psychiatric treatment.
The latest tragedy has renewed public concerns over rising gun violence in Turkey following several recent deadly attacks, including school shootings reported in southern parts of the country earlier this year.
Authorities are continuing the investigation into the motive behind the attacks.
