Shooting in southern Turkey: Four killed, eight injured, search for attacker underway

(Patria) - An armed attacker killed four and injured eight people in southern Turkey today, BBC reported, citing local media.

The deadly incident occurred in the Tarsus district of Mersin province, according to Turkish newspapers Hurriyet and CNN Türk.

The shooting reportedly began in a restaurant, and the suspect then fled by car.

Police, with helicopter support, have launched a large-scale search operation for the attacker, who is reported to be 17 years old.

Turkish media report that two people were killed in the restaurant, believed to be the owner and an employee.

The armed attacker then continued shooting, killing a truck driver and a shepherd who was grazing sheep nearby.

The suspect's motives are still unknown.