Gunman, 17, dies in shootout, killing 3 police officers

'It was not a terrorist act,' Sanliurfa governor says after incident, saying gunman had mental problems

By Muslum Etgu

SANLIURFA, Turkey (AA) – A 17-year-old was killed at a bus terminal Sunday night in Turkey’s southeastern Sanliurfa province after a shootout with police, in what the governor stressed was not a terrorist incident, but likely the result of the young man’s psychological problems.

Three police officers died of wounds received in the incident.

The shootout began when the young man responded to a routine ID check by arguing and opening fire, and three policemen were hurt, in addition to the three who died.

Sanliurfa Governor Gungor Azim Tuna told reporters on Monday morning that the incident was not a “terrorist act,” saying that according to his family, the young man had psychological problems, and had taken his father’s legal firearm behind his back.

The suspect’s father is a retired Turkish Armed Forces specialized sergeant, the governor added.

The governor said that wounded police officers are in good condition.

*Anadolu Agency’s Ilker Girit contributed to this story from Istanbul.

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