Father of two caught in firefight, killed while shielding son in southeast Turkey


A man was caught in a firefight between unidentified suspects on Tuesday in Turkey's southeastern Gaziantep district and was killed while trying to shield his son. The whole incident was captured by a security camera.

32-year-old Mehmet Kızılırmak was shopping with his wife and two sons in Şehitkamil district when four assailants opened fire with long-barreled rifles from a moving car on another car.

Hearing the gunshots while getting on their motorcycle, Kızılırmak's wife took one of the boys and sought refuge inside a grocery store nearby.

The father took the other boy and tried to find cover between the motorcycle and the sidewalk, however was hit while shielding his son, and he also hit his head on the sidewalk.

The heavily injured Kızılırmak was rushed to the hospital by onlookers, but succumbed to his wounds on his head and face.

Several shops in the street were also hit by stray bullets.

A funeral ceremony was held for the father of two on Wednesday in Nizip district.

Police launched an investigation into the incident and stepped up efforts to capture the suspects in both vehicles.