Turkey moves to arrest dozens after online praise for back-to-back school shootings

Turkish authorities are reeling after two deadly school shootings in two days, prompting a sweeping response that includes criminal investigations and mass arrest orders over online behavior. In the most recent attack on Wednesday in Kahramanmaras, a 14-year-old boy opened fire at a middle school, killing nine people and injuring 13. That came just a day after another shooting at a school in a different region, pushing the total death toll to at least 15 across both incidents.

In the aftermath, Turkish police have ordered the arrest of dozens of individuals suspected of praising the violence on social media platforms. Officials say the suspects shared posts that celebrated or encouraged the attacks, some using coded language or memes to express support. The move signals a broader effort by the government to contain not just the physical violence but its digital ripple effects, which can amplify fear and inspire copycat behavior.

School shootings are extremely rare in Turkey, making the back-to-back attacks especially shocking. The Kahramanmaras shooter reportedly used a firearm legally owned by a family member, raising immediate questions about gun access and mental health oversight. Local educators and parents described a sense of disbelief, with many saying they never imagined such violence could happen in their communities.

The government has not yet released a full profile of the suspects in either attack, but early reports suggest both perpetrators acted alone. Still, the speed and scale of the online reaction caught officials off guard. Some of the social media accounts now under scrutiny were quickly deleted, but digital forensics teams are working to trace activity and identify users behind the posts.

While many citizens support holding people accountable for inciting violence, others are cautious. Human rights advocates warn that anti-glorification efforts could be used to justify broader censorship, especially in an environment where online speech is already closely monitored. The line between punishing dangerous rhetoric and suppressing free expression is becoming harder to navigate.

Internationally, the events have drawn concern from education and security experts, who note that even isolated incidents can have lasting effects on public trust in schools. Turkish officials say they're reviewing security protocols at educational institutions and considering new measures to monitor online threats.

For now, the country is mourning. Vigils have been held in multiple cities, and school administrators are working to provide counseling for students and staff. The wave of violence has opened a painful national conversation about safety, mental health, and the role of the internet in shaping real-world harm.