Teenager stabs five at outdoor cafe in Turkey

• Teenager stabs five at outdoor cafe in Turkey
• The attack was streamed on social media via a camera mounted on the suspect’s chest
• The victims, aged between 57 and 87, were relaxing in a tea garden after praying at a nearby mosque
• All five were hospitalised, with two in critical condition
• The suspect, identified as Arda K was dressed with neo-Nazi symbolism

Teenager stabs five at outdoor cafe in Turkey

An 18-year-old has been detained after livestreaming himself stabbing five people at an open-air cafe in Eskisehir, a city in northwestern Turkey. The attack, which took place on Monday, was streamed on social media via a camera mounted on the suspect’s chest.

The victims, aged between 57 and 87, were relaxing in a tea garden after praying at a nearby mosque when they were attacked. All five were hospitalised, with two in critical condition.

The suspect, identified as Arda K., was found carrying two knives, a small axe, and was dressed in attire associated with neo-Nazi symbolism, including a vest with a black sun symbol, a helmet, a skull-printed balaclava, and camouflage trousers.

The Eskisehir governor’s office confirmed that the city’s public prosecutor is investigating the incident. The suspect, who turned 18 just last month, reportedly had no prior criminal record. Police believe he may have been influenced by violent video games, according to local media.

Footage shared by Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shows the suspect being detained and later escorted into a police vehicle. Yerlikaya expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured victims.

A court has since restricted the publication of details that could affect the ongoing legal proceedings.

Eskişehir’de Tepebaşı Rauf Orbay Caddesi, Şehit Rüstem Demirbaş Parkı çay bahçesinde kesici aletle N.Ö., T.A., C.Ö., C.A. ve M.K isimli 5 vatandaşımıza rastgele saldırarak yaralayan A.K. isimli şüpheli şahıs yakalanarak gözaltına alınmıştır.

Saldırıda yaralanan vatandaşlarımıza… pic.twitter.com/Yn6hD42pAU

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) August 12, 2024