Gaziantep, Turkey—Two people died today following a targeted shooting at a café in the city center. The attack occurred mid-morning while the establishment was serving patrons. Witnesses reported an unidentified individual entered the premises and fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene on foot.

The victims were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical teams who arrived within minutes of the distress calls. Police immediately secured the perimeter of the café, preventing onlookers from entering the area. Forensic investigators marked several shell casings scattered across the floor between the overturned tables.

Local business owners described the atmosphere as chaotic as customers scrambled for cover during the gunfire. Many nearby shops shuttered their doors as a precaution while patrol officers saturated the neighborhood. The assailant remains at large, and police have established checkpoints on all major exits from the district.

Detectives are currently reviewing security footage from the café and surrounding buildings. The footage appears to show the suspect acting with clear intent, suggesting the attack was not a random act of violence. Officials have refused to comment on a potential motive while the investigation remains in these critical early hours.

The victims have been identified as local residents, though their names are being withheld pending official notification of family members. A heavy police presence remains stationed outside the building as specialized units continue to collect evidence. The street is expected to remain closed to public access until the forensic sweep is finalized.

Authorities have urged residents to provide any information that could assist in tracking the shooter. Anonymous tips are being channeled through a dedicated police hotline established shortly after the incident. Fear has gripped the local community as they wait for news of a suspect being apprehended.

Tensions are high throughout Gaziantep as the city processes the sudden loss of life in such a public space. Police leadership has held emergency briefings to coordinate the search across the province. The investigation is moving through a systematic review of every witness statement collected thus far.

The site of the shooting remains a cold, cordoned-off zone. Investigators continue their work inside, leaving the surrounding streets in a state of suspended animation. No further information regarding the perpetrator’s identity or whereabouts has been disclosed by the provincial governor's office.