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Teen wearing helmet and bulletproof vest livestreams stabbing rampage by mosque in Turkey, authorities say

8/12: CBS Evening News
8/12: CBS Evening News 16:15

A teenager wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest stabbed five people near a mosque in northwest Turkey before being detained by police, officials and media reports said Tuesday.

The 18-year-old, identified as Arda K., broadcast Monday's knife attack on social media through a camera attached to his vest.

The victims were relaxing after prayers at a mosque in Eskisehir, some 143 miles west of the capital, Ankara. The attack video, in which several men cry out after being stabbed from behind, was circulating on X on Tuesday.

Suspect in Turkey stabbing incident detained in Eskisehir
A suspect, whom Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya's account on X named as AK and who, according to the account, attacked and injured 5 citizens, lies on the ground in handcuffs while being detained, in Eskisehir, Turkey, in this still image which was included in a video released on August 13, 2024.  Turkish Interior Minister via X

The teenager was detained following a police chase, according to the Eskisehir governor's office. At the end of his livestream, men are seen taking off his bulletproof vest as he lies on the ground surrounded by onlookers. 

Another video of the same scene circulating on X shows him lying with his hands behind his back, with the ax strapped to his vest.

The five victims were hospitalized and two were in serious condition, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency. The assailant was also carrying an ax but did not appear to have used it.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said an investigation had begun, while HaberTurk and other media reported the assailant is believed to have been influenced by a video game.

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