A disturbing video has surfaced depicting a man tracking down his former wife at a hospital in south-central Turkey before fatally shooting her. The chilling footage obtained by NewsX captures the moment when 44-year-old Atilla Ayintapli fired at his ex-spouse, Eser Karaca, 42, who worked as a medical secretary at the private hospital. Just hours before the tragic incident, Karaca had sought a restraining order against him.
In the CCTV footage from May, Ayintapli is seen entering the office armed with a shotgun. Despite Karaca’s attempt to flee to a nearby room with a colleague upon noticing him, Ayintapli pursued them while horrified witnesses scattered in fear.
During her final moments, Karaca raised her hands in a futile effort to shield herself from the attack. Ayintapli callously fired additional shots at her lifeless body, as reported by the Mirror US.
Following the brutal event, Ayintapli fled the scene while Karaca’s distressed colleagues rushed to her aid, overwhelmed with shock and grief. Despite immediate medical attention at the same hospital where she worked, Karaca tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Authorities revealed that Karaca had filed a restraining order that morning due to Ayintapli’s persistent stalking and attempts to reconcile despite past abusive behavior. Tragically, the restraining order could not be served before the fatal shooting.
Turkish police promptly apprehended Ayintapli, who now faces charges for Karaca’s murder and for threatening her colleague with a weapon. After confessing to the crime during interrogation, he was taken into custody and is awaiting trial, with prosecutors seeking a life sentence.
The issue of femicides, the killing of women and girls based on their gender, is a growing concern in Turkey. A controversial ruling by Turkey’s highest court in August stated that a man could receive a reduced sentence for killing a woman if she “provoked him by refusing to have sex,” sparking outrage and criticism from activists and legal experts who warn of the dangerous precedent it sets.
For those in need of emotional support, the Samaritans offer a 24-hour helpline at 116 123, email support at jo@samaritans.org, or visit their website for assistance.