Turkish police have arrested 162 people over alleged controversial social media posts linked to two deadly school shootings that took place this week.
Authorities said those detained were “found to have engaged in posts and activities praising crime and criminals and negatively affecting public order.”
The arrests come after two separate attacks: at least 16 people were injured in a shooting at a high school in southeastern Turkey on Tuesday, followed by another attack on Wednesday in the city of Kahramanmaraş in which nine people were killed.
As the country mourns, hundreds of people gathered near the main mosque in Kahramanmaraş on Thursday for the funerals of the victims.
One of the victims has been identified as 10-year-old Zeynep. Her uncle, Mahmut, described her as a bright and respectful child, telling BBC she was “a clever girl who respected others” and adding emotionally, “Now she is an angel, she flew away.”
Another relative at the funeral called for stronger protection measures in schools in the wake of the attacks.
The aunt of another 10-year-old victim, Shura, told the BBC she learned of her niece’s death only when her name was announced on television news.
Three Turkish government ministers are also expected to attend the funerals, according to reports.
A shooting at Ayser Çalık Secondary School in Turkey’s Kahramanmaraş province has left at least eight students and one teacher dead, according to officials. Thirteen others were injured, with six reported to be in critical condition. Authorities also confirmed that the 14-year-old attacker died during the incident.
The local prosecutor’s office said early findings suggest the attack was planned in advance. In a statement, it noted that digital evidence recovered from the suspect’s computer included a document dated April 11, 2026, indicating intentions to carry out what was described as a “major operation” in the near future.
Investigators also reported that the suspect had referenced US mass shooter Elliot Rodger in a profile image on his WhatsApp account. Rodger killed six people in California in 2014 before taking his own life.
Turkish media further reported that the attacker, believed to be a student at the school, entered two classrooms during the incident and was carrying multiple firearms and ammunition magazines.
A shooting at the Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in Turkey’s Siverek district on Tuesday left 16 people injured, authorities have confirmed.
Local governor Hasan Şildak said the attacker, a former student in his late teens, opened fire “indiscriminately with a shotgun” before turning the weapon on himself.
Following the incident, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said 95 people have been arrested over alleged online activity linked to the attack, as authorities move to curb the spread of related content.
According to him, the individuals are accused of sharing footage despite a broadcast ban, posting material that could incite fear, glorifying the attack, encouraging criminal behaviour, and spreading misinformation.
He also revealed that restrictions have been placed on 1,104 social media accounts in connection with the incident.
In a further development, 67 more people have been taken into custody for allegedly sharing posts suggesting that similar attacks could be carried out at other schools.