The attack occurred on Monday in the city of Eskisehir, which is situated in the west of Ankara, Turkey. The perpetrator, an 18-year-old male named Arda K has been identified by Turkish authorities as the assailant responsible for the stabbing spree.
The attack left five people injured, all of whom were reportedly relaxing in a tea garden adjacent to a mosque. The victims were immediately rushed to a local hospital for medical treatment. As per reports, two of the injured individuals are in critical condition.
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The entire attack was live-streamed on the social media platform X. The suspect attached a camera to his bulletproof vest.
The video footage shows the suspect silently surveying the area before initiating the stabbing spree. His silence was with the sound of his heavy breathing. The livestream lasted over two minutes before the suspect was subdued by bystanders.
The suspect’s appearance was striking and clearly influenced by far-right, white supremacist symbolism.
He wore a skeletal face mask, goggles, a Nazi-style helmet and a bulletproof vest. The vest was with the black sun symbol, a Nazi emblem associated with the SS and co-opted by modern white supremacist groups.
It has been reported that the suspect was dressed as a character from a video game. While the exact game has not been identified, it is suggested that this character’s attire and actions heavily inspired the suspect’s appearance and the nature of the attack.
The suspect used a large knife to carry out the stabbings. He was seen targeting elderly men and attacking them from behind.
The suspect also carried an axe tucked into his waistband. However reports indicate that he did not use the axe during the attack.
A total of five individuals were injured in the attack. The victims, most of whom were elderly men suffered serious injuries. None of the injuries were reported to be life-threatening.
All five victims were hospitalized with two of them in serious condition.
The attack was sudden and without any clear provocation. Arda K., armed with a knife, targeted individuals who were sitting peacefully after their prayers.
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According to eyewitnesses the attacker wore a helmet, a skull face covering and a bulletproof vest during the assault.
In addition to the knife which was used in the attack, the suspect was also found carrying an axe.
It appears that the axe was not utilized during the incident. The attacker broadcasted the entire stabbing spree live on social media.
He used a camera that was attached to his vest to stream the attack, as reported by several media outlets including HaberTurk television.
Local law enforcement mobilized. The Eskisehir governor’s office confirmed that the teenager was apprehended by the police after a brief chase.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that an investigation had been initiated into the incident.
The minister labeled the attack as a random act of violence and authorities are now working to uncover any possible motives behind the assailant’s actions.
Various Turkish media outlets including HaberTurk and Anadolu Agency have speculated that the attacker may have been influenced by a video game.
There has been no official confirmation from the authorities regarding the specific video game or games that might have influenced the attacker. The investigation is still ongoing and details are expected to emerge as it progresses.
Local news outlets also reported that the attacker displayed a black sun symbol on his chest. This symbol, which is associated with Nazi ideology and made up of several swastikas. These claims are still under investigation.
The five victims of the attack were transported to a hospital for emergency medical treatment. According to Anadolu Agency, two of the individuals sustained severe injuries and remain in critical condition, while the other three are also being treated for their injuries.
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