Surrey couple in shock after Prague shooting

Image source, Reuters

Image caption, The couple from Merstham were in a museum close to the scene of the shooting
  • Author, Bob Dale
  • Role, 大象传媒 News, South East

A newlywed Surrey couple have told of the moment a police officer ordered them to stay down during a mass shooting in central Prague.

Fifteen people have been confirmed dead after gunfire at a school in Jan Palach Square in the Czech Republic capital on Thursday.

Tom Leese, 34, a video producer, and his wife Rachael, 31, an account director from Merstham, were having a drink in the Slivovitz Museum, close to where the shooting occurred.

Czech authorities said at least 24 people have been injured in the attack, while the gunman, a 24-year-old student, has been found dead.

Mr Leese said: "A policeman came in and started shouting loudly in what I assume was Czech.

"I asked for it in English and he said there was an active shooter and to stay inside and stay down.

"The staff were very calm, turned all the lights off very quickly and urged us to stay calm, the restaurant was relatively quiet.

"The policeman left urgently and we stood in the corner of the restaurant."

'Still in shock'

The couple were kept in the the museum for over an hour, hearing sirens outside.

Mr Leese added: "Rachael is still in shock.

"We were meant to be having dinner at the restaurant right by the building tonight and were going to pop in for a drink earlier on, but we crossed the bridge instead.

"With everyone else being so calm it didn't seem real to me.

"We've been in touch with all of our families to let them know that we're safe.

"We obviously can't wait to get home now."

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