The Thing

Student Life and University Environment:

Despite long-standing depression and thoughts of death, Kozák maintained strong academic performance.

Kozák noted that studying at the Faculty of Arts was one of the few things that gave him a sense of satisfaction and purpose.

Kozák likely chose history out of personal interest, though his focus on Polish history was never explained. He mentioned plans to continue his studies in Poland, though it is unclear whether he intended to.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History and European Studies, successfully defended his thesis with an excellent grade, and received the Marian Szyjkowski Award from the Polish Institute in Prague.

At university, Kozák remained socially withdrawn. He was described by students as a quiet, unremarkable loner. Quotes: “He was a quiet guy, an introvert. He hardly talked to us”, “I vaguely remember him. He was always such an inconspicuous person who didn't interact with many people”.

Kozák spent most of his time alone at his computer after starting university. He may have lived in a student dormitory for a time, but later returned to his parents’ home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employment and Workplace Experience:

Kozák worked at an airport for over two years alongside his father and sister, as a terminal service assistant.

He reportedly received positive evaluations: he was responsible, diligent, had no disciplinary issues, and showed no aggressive behavior.

Mostly colleagues described him as restless, and some suspected he might be autistic, referring to his unusual behavior.

In conversations at work, he mainly talked about school, books, and work, and at times about having a firearms license or about weapons.

On one occasion, Kozák brought a long gun to the airport in an unusually large backpack and showed it to a colleague after she asked about it.

Another colleague once heard him say, “I would shoot everyone in Terminal 2”.

It was noted that he regularly worked night shifts, especially in the year leading up to the crime.

Mental Health and Deterioration:

After starting university, Kozák frequently talked to his friends about ending his life. His classmates gave him a list of contacts for help, but he did not use them. As his statements continued, his friends urged him to seek psychiatric help.

Suicidal tendencies intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially from spring 2022. Kozák explained that these thoughts emerged when he had a lot of free time and experienced “boredom”.

His first psychiatric appointment, attended with a friend, took place in September 2023. In total, he had four sessions and one psychological assessment.

His friend accompanied him to the session, as she knew he would not go alone. Kozák said she seemed more concerned about his condition than he was about himself.

The sessions revealed a range of issues, including suicidal and homicidal ideation, existential loss of meaning, depression, lack of socialization, and family conflict.

After four sessions with the psychiatrist and one with another psychologist, both reported that he became withdrawn and either missed or cancelled scheduled appointments.

Kozák did not disclose having a firearms license or plans to obtain one, although he had already received it in spring 2023. He also refused to name the physician (who approved his firearm license).

Over the year preceding the crime, classmates noticed that Kozák became increasingly fatigued. He complained of insufficient sleep due to night shifts at his airport job and began eating less.

According to them, he became noticeably more stressed. For example, he started smoking more heavily. Witness quote: “What struck and somewhat surprised me was that he suddenly smoked about eight cigarettes in a row, within about fifteen minutes”.

The only person Kozák appeared close to before the crime was his female friend. In the final months, he shared his hobby: weapons, shooting ranges, optics, and long-range shooting courses.

The plauche vid