Former police officer commits massacre; 2 dead, 2 injured

Published: November 2, 2025, 02:20

The incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. in the village of Coburlar, in the Çaycuma district. Former police officer Okan Özcan, 32, who had recently retired from the police force due to alleged psychological problems, came to the village coffeehouse with a hunting rifle for an as yet unknown reason. Özcan fired the shotgun repeatedly, and the pellets struck the coffeehouse owner Kasım Özcan (59), Aydın Özbakış (37), Gökhan G. (39), and Hüseyin G. (67).

While Okan Özcan was covering his tracks with a vehicle, the injured and others who had recovered from the shock of the incident reported the incident to the 112 Emergency Call Center. Numerous medical teams and gendarmerie teams were dispatched to the village following the report.

Following the report of the suspected murderer's description, search points were established and searches were conducted at all other checkpoints. However, the suspect came to the Çaycuma Courthouse, where he surrendered, claiming he had assaulted a police officer with a weapon. Gendarmerie teams took him into custody and confiscated the shotgun believed to have been used in the incident.

The injured received first aid at the scene and were taken to Çaycuma State Hospital by ambulance. Despite all efforts, Aydın Özbakış and Kasım Özcan, who were seriously injured, could not be saved and lost their lives. It was learned that Kasım Özcan was previously the village headman (muhtar) of the village.

It was revealed that murder suspect Okan Özcan had made accusations against several people shortly before the incident by posting on his social media account that "They've formed a prostitution ring." It was also learned that Özcan's family had recently obtained a restraining order against him for allegedly committing violence. The suspect was being questioned by the gendarmerie while the true motive for the murder was being investigated, and the relatives of the victims suffered a nervous breakdown at Çaycuma State Hospital.