Turkish Traffic Police Officer Shot Dead During Illegal Taxi Check in Istanbul

A Turkish traffic police officer was killed late Thursday night after being shot during a routine inspection targeting unlicensed taxis in Istanbul’s Esenyurt district.

Police Officer Mehmet Ali Topatan, assigned to the Istanbul Traffic Control Branch, was conducting a traffic stop on Fatih Sultan Mehmet Street in the Akevler neighborhood around 10:50 p.m. on September 4. Officers stopped a vehicle suspected of operating as an illegal (“pirate”) taxi.

When the driver, identified as Ekrem A., was informed that his vehicle would be impounded, he drew a firearm and shot Topatan in the back. The officer was critically wounded. Immediately afterward, the suspect turned the gun on himself.

Both men were rushed to Esenyurt State Hospital. Despite medical efforts, Officer Topatan succumbed to his injuries and was declared a martyr (şehit) by Turkish authorities. The shooter, who was later identified as a retired police officer, also died from his self-inflicted wounds.

The official account of the Turkish Gendarmerie Command posted a formal statement of condolences on Friday morning, writing “Başımız sağ olsun” (“Our deepest condolences”) alongside a memorial image of the fallen officer. Istanbul Governor’s Office confirmed the details of the incident in an official statement. An investigation is underway.