Monday morning was marked by a tragic shooting at the municipal office in Chřibská in the Děčín region in the north of the Czech Republic. Police say two people are dead after the attack - one man who was hit and the attacker himself. Six other people suffered injuries, with at least one woman in serious condition. Following the intervention, police confirmed that the situation is under control and there is no further danger to residents.
Officers received the report of the shooting shortly before 10:30 a.m. All available units immediately went to the scene - first-response patrols, the riot squad, criminal investigators and the emergency medical service. The office building was evacuated and the surrounding area closed. Police officers urged the public to avoid the scene.
According to the information so far, an armed man entered the town hall building and began shooting. Police intervened against him and eliminated the attacker during the intervention. The motive for the crime is not yet known, and detectives are still investigating it. The police are continuing to search the scene and secure clues, and are also questioning witnesses to the incident.
Paramedics treated a total of six injured persons. Some of them were taken to hospitals in the region, including the trauma centre in Ústí nad Labem. Among the injured is a police officer who sustained injuries during the intervention. His condition is expected to be stable.
The police president arrived in Chřibská and Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar headed there as well. The police announced that after their arrival they would provide further information to journalists on the spot. A crisis line and psychological assistance for witnesses and families affected by the tragedy were also set up.
Prime Minister Andrej Babiš expressed his sincere condolences to the survivors and described the shooting as a tragic event that deeply affected not only the residents of Chřibská but also the wider public. The small town in the Šluknov foothills has never seen a similar act of violence before.
The investigation is continuing, but police have not released any further details about the case.
gnews.cz - GH
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