Bio

Publicly available information about Mehmet Altun’s early life, education, employment, or psychological background is scarce or unreported. As of his arrest in August 2021, Altun was identified as a 33-year-old Turkish citizen. His motives appeared to be rooted in an earlier violent altercation that had occurred between his family and the Dedeoğulları family—ethnic Kurds who had lived in Konya Province for over two decades.

Murder Story

On 30 July 2021, Mehmet Altun entered the home of the Dedeoğulları family in the Meram district of Konya Province. After briefly speaking with the family, Altun opened fire, killing all seven family members—four women and three men. Security footage confirmed that Altun attempted to burn down the house immediately afterward, likely to destroy surveillance footage.

Autopsy reports revealed that six of the victims were shot in the head, and one was shot in the neck. In total, 21 bullets were recovered from the bodies.

Following the massacre, Altun fled the scene. He was apprehended on 4 August 2021, four days after the killings. That same day, Turkish authorities arrested ten members of the Altun family. Four others were released but banned from traveling abroad. Mehmet Altun reportedly confessed to the killings and admitted to attempting to burn the home to eliminate evidence.

Turkish officials claimed the crime stemmed from a long-standing family feud, denying that it was ethnically motivated. However, many Kurdish organizations and human rights advocates argued the attack was racially motivated and criticized the government’s response and rhetoric.

As of the most recent confirmed reports, there has been no public record of Mehmet Altun’s trial outcome or sentence. His status remains unclear, though he was in custody as of August 2021.