Armed Attack in Courtroom: Fatalities and Injuries Reported
In a shocking turn of events on September 23, 2023, an armed brawl erupted at an entertainment venue in the Odunluk Mahallesi district of Nilüfer, leaving three individuals injured. This incident was linked to the second trial of Mertcan Akça and his father Köksal Akça at the Bursa 6th Heavy Penal Court inside the Bursa Justice Palace. Justice Minister Tunç revealed that 10 individuals were detained in connection with the attack.
Chaos Unfolds in the Courtroom
During the testimony of the defense attorney, a sudden gunshot was fired from the side where Tolga E (21), who had been left disabled from a previous altercation, was seated in a wheelchair towards the defendants. This unexpected act led to a frenzy as attendees rushed to safety, fleeing the scene.
Tragically, in the alleged assault carried out by Tolga E’s father, Kemal E, Mertcan Akça and Köksal Akça lost their lives. Amidst the panic within the courtroom, law enforcement swiftly intervened to apprehend the assailant. Numerous ambulances and reinforcement teams were dispatched to the courthouse upon receiving the alert, prompting the evacuation of the building. Two gendarme personnel who sustained injuries were promptly transported to the hospital by emergency medical services.
Concerns and Investigations
Prior to the attack, the suspect Kemal E reportedly gestured towards his relatives, pointing at his son Tolga and saying, “You are entrusted to them,” before being taken into custody by the police. Speculation arose regarding the possibility of the firearm being smuggled into the courtroom disguised within the wheelchair.
The gravity of the situation prompted the closure of all entrances and exits to the courthouse. Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu addressed the public, confirming the loss of two lives and the severe injury of two gendarme personnel in the violent incident at the Bursa Justice Palace.
Official Responses and Ongoing Investigations
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç declared that the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had initiated a criminal inquiry into the armed attack at the Bursa Justice Palace. As part of the ongoing investigation, the primary suspect, K.E., responsible for the deaths of two individuals and the injuries of two gendarme officers, was apprehended alongside the weapon used in the assault. Additionally, 10 individuals suspected of aiding the perpetrators or displaying negligence during the incident have been taken into custody. The investigation is being diligently pursued from various angles to ensure thoroughness and accuracy.
