Prague university shootout: Video shows people hiding on building ledge to escape gunman

After the worst-ever mass shootout in Prague, social media platforms were flooded with dramatic videos that showed people leaping from the ledge of a building to escape the shooter during the attack on Thursday (Dec 21).

The shootout that happened at Charles University is not beingconsideredas a terrorist incident by the local authorities. The violence in the historic centre of the city led to evacuations, while others living near the building were warned to stay indoors by authorities.

In the worst shooting that the Czech Republic has seen in decades, 13 people were killed and 25 othersinjured.

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Chilling video emerges

In the video, some people were seen cowering on the university's ledge as the gunman started firing bullets at those who were present inside the building.

The people, to escape the gunman, jumped from the ledges of the building onto the floor below and safely went downstairs from where they were rescued by the police.

Authorities said that the 24-year-old gunman, who was a student at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University, killed himself after the shootout in Prague. His body was discovered in the philosophy building of the university.

Earlier, the police informed that the father of the gunman was also found dead. A national day of mourning was declared by the government on December 23, withflags on official buildingsflown at half-mast. People were also appealed to observe a minute's silence in remembrance of those killed at the University.

Watch:Gunman kills 14 in unprecedented attack at Prague university

Speaking toreporters, Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said that the gunman "left for Prague saying he wanted to kill himself". He further said that he had also killed his father.

Vondrasek further shared the possibility of the gunman getting inspired by a "similar case that happened in Russia".

Vondrasek said that he is also suspected of killinga man and his two-month-old daughter in the forest on the eastern outskirts of Prague on December 15.

Czech President Petr Pavel said that he was "shocked" by the violence and expressed "deep regret and sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims".

(With inputs from agencies)