Dispute over photo ends in tragedy for young florist
A dispute in Antalya over a photo shared on social media left a young florist brain dead
An altercation at a flower shop in Antalya has left a young man brain-dead after he was brutally attacked by an enraged individual. The incident, triggered by a social media post involving the attacker's wife, set off a fatal chain of events.
On October 12, in the Altınova district of Antalya, Turkey, Kıvanç Şensöz—a 31-year-old sports trainer and bodyguard—assaulted 29-year-old florist Eşref Yunus Yıldırıcı at his place of business.
The Conflict
The dispute began after a photo of a floral arrangement was posted on social media. The image featured Şensöz’s wife, a foreign national who sells flowers online. Although her face was not clearly visible, Şensöz perceived the post as a personal affront and decided to take matters into his own hands.
Firdevs Yıldırıcı, Eşref’s sister, had shared the photo on their business account, unaware of the potential consequences. Upon seeing it, Şensöz confronted Firdevs. Despite receiving an apology, he demanded a meeting with Eşref, who took full responsibility for the post.
The Assault
What began as an attempt to apologize quickly turned into a violent assault. During the encounter, Şensöz suddenly struck Eşref, knocking him unconscious, and continued to kick him as he lay defenseless on the ground. Security footage captured the brutal scene, showing the attacker refusing to stop until he was intervened by Eşref’s uncle, Ali Okur.
The victim was rushed to Kepez State Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a severe cerebral hemorrhage.
A Fatal Outcome
After a six-day battle in the intensive care unit, doctors declared Eşref Yunus Yıldırıcı brain-dead on October 18. His family is now reportedly considering organ donation.
The assailant, Kıvanç Şensöz, has been arrested and faces serious criminal charges. In his statement to the authorities, Şensöz claimed he never intended for the situation to escalate so far:
"I thought we would fight and then make up," he stated, explaining that he simply lost control during the argument.
Aftermath and Reactions
Eşref’s family remains devastated. His sister, Firdevs, emphasized that the photo was shared strictly for business purposes. "We apologized, but he insisted on taking it further," she said.
The tragedy has sparked outrage across local communities and social media. While the family mourns their loss, they are now shifting their focus toward a grueling legal battle for justice.