Deadly Shooting Rampage in Southern Turkiye Leaves Six Dead, Gunman Dies by Suicide
MERSIN, Turkey — May 19, 2026 — A 37-year-old gunman killed six people, including his estranged wife, in a shooting spree across multiple locations in Mersin province on Monday, May 18, before taking his own life as security forces closed in on his hiding place, officials confirmed.
The attacks occurred in the Camliyayla and Tarsus districts of Mersin province, a Mediterranean coastal region in southern Turkey, according to Anadolu Agency, the semi-official Turkish news service .
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Timeline of the Attacks
The gunman, identified only as a 37-year-old male, began his rampage in the Camliyayla district, where he first shot and killed his ex-wife in the street, authorities said . Witnesses reported that the woman was the suspect’s former spouse, whom he had divorced .
After killing his wife, the suspect drove to the Tarsus district, approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) away, where he opened fire on a restaurant from his car . The attack killed the restaurant owner and an employee, according to Turkish officials . Reports indicate the suspect had a prior dispute with the restaurant owners .
A shepherd nearby was also struck by shotgun pellets and later died in a hospital . The suspect later killed two more people in another neighborhood, bringing the total number of fatalities to six .
Eight other people were wounded during the attacks and were transported to local hospitals for treatment .
Manhunt and Suicide
Following the shootings, Turkish security forces launched a massive manhunt, deploying helicopters and drones to track the suspect . Roadblocks were established in parts of Mersin and the neighboring Adana province as authorities worked to locate the gunman .
The suspect was eventually located hiding in a house in the region. When security forces surrounded the building, the gunman died by suicide . Police have not released the suspect’s full name pending notification of next of kin .
Suspect’s Background
The Mersin governor’s office stated that the man had a history of substance abuse and psychiatric problems . Authorities have not released additional details about his mental health history or any prior criminal record.
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Context of Rising Gun Violence in Turkey
Monday’s shooting comes amid a concerning rise in gun violence across Turkey. In April 2026, a school shooting in Kahramanmaraş province left 10 people dead, while another school attack a day earlier wounded 16 . Those incidents prompted authorities to tighten school security nationwide .
The latest shooting also follows a separate incident earlier in May in Gaziantep province, where a taxi driver was taken hostage by an armed couple who then opened fire on police . That incident, which occurred on May 10, ended with police capturing the suspects .
Investigation Ongoing
Turkish authorities continue to investigate the motive behind Monday’s attacks, though the gunman’s prior dispute with the restaurant owners and his estranged relationship with his ex-wife appear to have been contributing factors .
The wounded victims remain hospitalized, though their conditions have not been publicly released by officials.
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