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Turkish authorities have detained a 32-year-old Iranian woman in Istanbul in connection with Monday's deadly attack on a police station in Izmir that killed two officers, officials said.
The woman, identified only by the initials K.N., was apprehended in Istanbul's Esenyurt district following an investigation that determined she had contact with the teenage gunman who carried out the assault, according to the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
The arrest comes as the first detention of an associate connected to Monday's attack at the Salih Isgoren Police Station in Izmir's Balcova district.
A 16-year-old gunman, identified as E.B., opened fire with a pump-action shotgun, killing First Class Police Chief Muhsin Aydemir and Police Officer Hasan Akin.
Police Officer Omer Amilag remains in critical condition, while Police Officer Murat Dagli sustained minor injuries in the assault. Both officers were transported to Dokuz Eylul University Research and Application Hospital for treatment.
The investigation into the woman's role in the attack is ongoing. Turkish authorities have not disclosed the nature of her connection to the teenage suspect or whether she played any role in planning the assault.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya previously confirmed the suspect E.B. was in custody following the attack. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that two deputy chief prosecutors alongside six prosecutors have been assigned to the case.
The motive for Monday's attack remains unclear. The assault shocked the western Turkish city and prompted condemnation from local officials, including Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay, who called it a "treacherous attack."
The detention of the Iranian woman come as investigators are examining whether the teenage gunman had outside assistance or connections. Turkish authorities have launched what officials describe as a comprehensive judicial investigation into all aspects of the case.
The attack marked one of the deadliest assaults on Turkish law enforcement in recent memory, drawing national attention to security at police facilities.
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