Eight Killed in Shootings in Western Turkey; Manhunt for Suspect

Eight people were killed and one more was seriously injured in a series of shootings in western Turkey on Thursday, and police are searching for a suspect who fled the scene.

The shootings took place in Afyonkarahisar province. According to BBC News, victims were found in several locations, in three separate vehicles. Three people were killed near Ayazini village and three others near Kiyir village. In Yukaritandir, two women were found injured and later died in hospital. Two teachers were among the dead.

Police closed the roads leading to the affected villages and launched a large-scale operation to find the suspect. A vehicle allegedly taken by the attacker was later found stuck in mud and abandoned. The suspect was then believed to be on foot.

Footage from security cameras, published in Turkish media, showed a man in a black jacket, white trousers and glasses holding a long weapon beside a red minivan.

The Afyonkarahisar Governorate, the provincial governor's office, said that all relevant state institutions had been working in coordination since the first moment to respond to the shootings.