Eight Killed in Afyonkarahisar Shooting Spree, Suspect Arrested

Eight people were killed and one was seriously injured in a series of shooting attacks across three villages in the İhsaniye district of Afyonkarahisar. The 28-year-old suspect, identified as Arif Sefa Ö., was arrested during a security operation in Seyitgazi, Eskişehir.

New details have emerged in the investigation into the multiple shootings that took place on Thursday, November 5, in Afyonkarahisar. The attacks occurred in the villages of Yukarıtandır, Ayazini and Kıyır, leaving eight people dead and one person seriously injured.

According to preliminary findings, the suspect, Arif Sefa Ö., 28, fled the first crime scene after hijacking a vehicle. He then continued his attacks in Ayazini, where he shot and killed three people inside another vehicle. Further shootings took place in Kıyır, where victims were targeted at two separate locations. Investigators determined that the suspect had killed eight people before stealing another vehicle and heading toward Eskişehir.

Suspect Arrested After Opening Fire on Gendarmerie Officers

Security forces tracked the suspect to the rural area of Taşlık in Seyitgazi district, Eskişehir. He had abandoned the stolen vehicle after it became stuck in mud and continued fleeing on foot. Ammunition was subsequently discovered inside the abandoned vehicle.

Police and gendarmerie teams launched an extensive search operation using thermal drones. The suspect was eventually located near a mining facility in the Kuyucak area.

When officers ordered him to surrender, he reportedly opened fire with a shotgun. Security forces subsequently apprehended him during the operation. Two gendarmerie personnel sustained minor injuries in the exchange of gunfire.

Identities of All Eight Victims Released

Authorities have identified the eight people who lost their lives in the attacks:

• Ahmet Uzel, 57
• Bekir Toprak, 50
• Noman Toprak, 56
• Seydi Ahmet Aydoğmuş, 73
• Satı Aydoğmuş, 68
• İsmail Şen, 61
• Hilal Mete, 31
• Ayşe Sena Demir, 46

Two of the victims were female teachers working at Yukarıtandır Middle School in İhsaniye. Investigators also determined that the people travelling in the three targeted vehicles had no known connections to one another. Preliminary findings indicate that the suspect randomly stopped vehicles travelling along the road and opened fire on their occupants.

RTÜK Announces Broadcasting Ban

The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) announced that a broadcasting ban had been imposed on coverage of the incident under a ruling issued by the Afyonkarahisar 1st Criminal Court of Peace.

The decision, numbered 2026/5725 D. İş, was issued as part of an ongoing investigation conducted by the Afyonkarahisar Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. RTÜK urged broadcasters to comply with the ruling and avoid publishing unverified information or graphic footage from the crime scenes.

Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş also announced that psychosocial support teams had been deployed to assist the victims’ relatives both at the scene and in hospital.

The Eskişehir Governor’s Office confirmed that the suspect had been captured alive through a joint operation involving provincial gendarmerie and police units.

The judicial investigation into the attacks is ongoing.

Kaynak: IHA