The Prague gunman who shot dead 14 people and injured two Emiratis had an arsenal of weapons such as long-barrel rifles and shotguns, leading to questions over whether the attack could have been prevented.
The 24-year-old gunman, identified as David Kozak, was a student with no criminal record and no known links to international terrorists or extreme ideologies, leaving his motive unclear.
Police are probing unverified claims that he ran a social media account that took inspiration from a Russian mass gunman, amid fears events in the Czech Republic will similarly inspire similar killers.
Investigations since Thursday’s attack have found he had a licence to own eight firearms including two long guns, had taken self-defence classes and is suspected of having killed a father and daughter.
A minute’s silence was held at noon on Saturday in a national day of mourning for the victims, with Czech President Petr Pavel among the worshippers at a service at Prague Castle’s Gothic cathedral.
The killer had opened fire at Charles University's arts faculty two days earlier, killing 14, injuring three and resulting in frantic scenes as students took refuge on roofs and balconies.
Authorities say the atrocity could have been worse after a cache of weapons and ammunition was discovered at the university.
The gunman had a “huge arsenal of weapons and ammunition”, said Czech police president Martin Vondrasek.
The killer had avoided attracting the attention of authorities before Thursday’s attack, but police now believe he was responsible for a shooting in a forest a week earlier.
A man and his two-month-old daughter were killed during a walk on December 15. Police have since found a ballistics match at the crime scene at Charles University.
Acquaintances who spoke to Czech media described the killer as quiet and bland. One was a training centre boss who confirmed Kozak had been on a self-defence course, which he said did not involve the use of firearms.
“The person was really bland, he didn't express himself and he was quiet, that's why the instructors didn't notice him too much. He didn't stand out,” Zdenek Charvat told the iDNES newspaper.
Mr Vondrasek said Czech police have been training for an active gunman scenario since far-right extremist Anders Behring Breivik killed dozens of people in Norway in 2011.
“That was the year when we realised it can happen anywhere in the world,” Mr Vondrasek said.
Czech gun laws are considered liberal by European standards, with the right to bear arms added to the constitution in 2021 in a measure compared to the US's Second Amendment.
Prospective gun owners must be at least 21, have a clean criminal record, pass both a theory and practical test and meet health requirements – conditions which the Prague gunman appeared to have met.
In the attack’s aftermath “it is logical to also talk about how to tighten up gun ownership, which the public has started calling for,” said Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan.
A new gun law was already being debated in parliament before Thursday’s attack, with proposals including new powers to check on people with an “abnormal accumulation of weapons”.
There are suggestions that doctors could also be given access to gun ownership records, allowing them to advise that a patient may no longer be fit to own a firearm.
Police in the Czech Republic have also increased security at “soft targets” such as schools that are difficult to protect, with extra guards to remain in place until January 1.
However, the Prague attack was a “completely unexpected act” and even stricter rules on gun ownership would not eliminate the risk of a future atrocity, Mr Rakusan said.
“If someone is determined to do it, even the best possible legislation could not prevent it,” he said.
How to keep control of your emotions
If your investment decisions are being dictated by emotions such as fear, greed, hope, frustration and boredom, it is time for a rethink, Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG, says.
Greed
Greedy investors trade beyond their means, open more positions than usual or hold on to positions too long to chase an even greater gain. “All too often, they incur a heavy loss and may even wipe out the profit already made.
Tip: Ignore the short-term hype, noise and froth and invest for the long-term plan, based on sound fundamentals.
Fear
The risk of making a loss can cloud decision-making. “This can cause you to close out a position too early, or miss out on a profit by being too afraid to open a trade,” he says.
Tip: Start with a plan, and stick to it. For added security, consider placing stops to reduce any losses and limits to lock in profits.
Hope
While all traders need hope to start trading, excessive optimism can backfire. Too many traders hold on to a losing trade because they believe that it will reverse its trend and become profitable.
Tip: Set realistic goals. Be happy with what you have earned, rather than frustrated by what you could have earned.
Frustration
Traders can get annoyed when the markets have behaved in unexpected ways and generates losses or fails to deliver anticipated gains.
Tip: Accept in advance that asset price movements are completely unpredictable and you will suffer losses at some point. These can be managed, say, by attaching stops and limits to your trades.
Boredom
Too many investors buy and sell because they want something to do. They are trading as entertainment, rather than in the hope of making money. As well as making bad decisions, the extra dealing charges eat into returns.
Tip: Open an online demo account and get your thrills without risking real money.
More on animal trafficking
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
Fitness problems in men's tennis
Andy Murray - hip
Novak Djokovic - elbow
Roger Federer - back
Stan Wawrinka - knee
Kei Nishikori - wrist
Marin Cilic - adductor
