Karolina SedlackovaIn the heart of Prague, a somber mood has enveloped the city as residents come together to honor the victims of the tragic shooting at Charles University’s Faculty of Philosophy (FF UK) that occurred last Thursday. Even on Christmas Day, a day typically filled with joy and celebration, people gathered at various memorial sites in the city center to pay their respects and remember those who lost their lives in the senseless act of violence.
Thousands of candles illuminate the area in front of Karolinum at Ovocný trh, creating a sea of light and sorrow. Flowers and heartfelt messages are also being placed by mourners, a poignant testament to the collective grief and solidarity of the community.
The steps of the Faculty of Philosophy building on Jan Palach Square are covered with candles and flowers as well. The city continues to rally support for the survivors and the families of the deceased, with nearly 49 million Czech korunas already raised through various fundraisers. The largest of these, organized by the Charles University Endowment Fund, has collected approximately 42.5 million korunas from over 36,000 contributors. Additional funds are being raised through the Znesnáze21 portal and a collection by Masaryk University in Brno, demonstrating a nationwide outpouring of support and compassion.
All seven of the injured who were admitted to Motol University Hospital remain hospitalized, according to Jana Krejčí Merxbauerová, the deputy head of the communication department. Two of the patients are in the resuscitation department, while the other five are receiving intensive care across various clinics. “The hospitalization will certainly continue for some time,” she added. The patients were admitted with gunshot wounds to the chest and arteries.
The situation is similar at the General University Hospital in Prague, where one male patient remains in a stabilized condition and is expected to stay in the hospital for an extended period.
Of the seven patients admitted to the Faculty Hospital Královské Vinohrady (FNKV) on Thursday afternoon, two were discharged for home care on Friday. Tereza Romanová, a spokesperson for the hospital, confirmed today that the situation remains unchanged, with one patient being transferred from the clinic of anesthesiology and resuscitation to orthopedics. She also dispelled rumors of any deaths at the hospital.
The Central Military Hospital (ÚVN) admitted three injured individuals on Thursday. Spokesperson Jitka Zinke informed the media on Friday afternoon that the hospital would not be releasing any further information about the patients’ conditions.
The shooter, a 24-year-old student from Central Bohemia, killed 13 people at the FF UK building on Palach Square and a fourteenth victim later died in the hospital. Another 25 individuals were injured, some critically. The assailant ended the rampage with suicide. Police have linked the shooter to another case involving the murder of a man and his two-month-old daughter in Klánovice Forest on the outskirts of Prague on December 15th.
As Prague mourns, the city stands united in its grief and determination to support those affected by this tragedy. The outpouring of love and solidarity in the face of such darkness is a testament to the resilience and compassion of its people.
