Renowned architect Turgut Toydemir critically injured in road rage incident: Shooter turns out to be a police officer

In Kavacık, Istanbul, 86-year-old renowned architect Turgut Toydemir had an argument with police officer S.Ç., who was driving his own vehicle while off-duty, while Toydemir was driving in traffic.

Police officer S.Ç., who wanted to stop Toydemir's vehicle, opened fire with his handgun at the vehicle when it did not stop. Turgut Toydemir, who was the target of the bullets, was critically injured.

According to the information received, a traffic-related argument occurred between Toydemir, who was driving his vehicle with license plate 34 TC 7374 on Atatürk Street in Göztepe Neighborhood, and police officer S.Ç., who was driving his own vehicle.

Toydemir was shot as a result of S.Ç. firing his weapon at the vehicle, and his car was able to stop after hitting the median after traveling for a short distance.

Upon notification, police and medical teams were dispatched to the area.

Critically injured, Toydemir was first taken to a private hospital and then transferred to Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital after initial intervention by medical personnel. It was learned that Toydemir has been taken into surgery and his health condition remains critical.

ON CHARGES OF INTENTIONAL INJURY...

Police officer S.Ç., who did not flee the scene, surrendered with the weapon he used and was taken into custody. It was learned that police officer S.Ç., against whom an investigation was launched for the crime of 'intentional injury', has been suspended from duty.

A detailed investigation was conducted by Crime Scene Investigation teams and the prosecutor in the area, which was cordoned off with police tape.

POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD ISSUED A STATEMENT

In the statement made by the Istanbul Police Department regarding the shooting incident, it was stated, ''It has been understood that while police officer S.Ç. was driving his vehicle, an argument broke out between him and the other vehicle driver T.T. due to traffic, and that T.T. was injured as a result of S.Ç. firing his weapon at the vehicle when S.Ç. wanted to stop the vehicle and T.T. did not stop.''

In the statement, it was reported that police officer S.Ç., who was caught with his weapon, was suspended from duty and that the investigation process carried out against him for the crime of ''intentional injury'' continues both judicially and administratively.

WHO IS TURGUT TOYDEMİR?

Born in Istanbul in 1938, Turgut Toydemir graduated as an architect from the Faculty of Architecture at Istanbul Technical University in 1961. He completed his master's degree at the Istanbul State Academy of Architecture and Engineering in 1969.

Turgut Toydemir is one of the oldest living active architects in Turkey. With the architectural office he founded in Istanbul in 1961, Toydemir has realized nearly a thousand projects exceeding 20 million square meters in Turkey and other countries between 1961 and 2018.

News Source: AA