Kahramanmaraş school shooting legal developments

Following the April 15 shooting at Ayser Çalık Middle School in Kahramanmaraş, which resulted in the deaths of nine students and mathematics teacher Ayla Kara, legal and commemorative actions have proceeded.

Ayla Kara’s family has filed a 5.1 million Turkish Lira lawsuit for material and moral damages against Uğur Mersinli, the father of the 14-year-old perpetrator. The Kahramanmaraş 9th Civil Court of First Instance has placed a precautionary lien on Mersinli’s assets, citing parental liability for damages caused by minor children due to a lack of supervision.

Additionally, the Kahramanmaraş TOBB Science High School will be renamed the “Kahramanmaraş TOBB Martyr Teacher Ayla Kara Science High School” to honor the deceased teacher.

The criminal trial for Uğur Mersinli and Peyman Pınar Mersinli is scheduled to begin on September 4. An indictment has been issued against the parents of the attacker, İsa Aras Mersinli. Prosecutors are seeking 10 life sentences for Uğur Mersinli, a police chief inspector, for “possible intent to kill” and up to 30 years for “possible intent to injure.” Peyman Pınar Mersinli faces a request for up to 22.5 years for “causing the death and injury of multiple people through conscious negligence.”

The indictment notes that while the school issued official notifications in 2022 and 2024 regarding the child’s need for psychological support and hospital referrals, the parents reportedly failed to seek necessary medical intervention despite the attacker participating in 32 counseling sessions. Both defendants have denied the allegations.