At least 40 people were killed and over 100 were injured in a mass shooting that occurred at Crocus City Hall, a concert venue located in Krasnogorsk, just outside Moscow. The incident took place on Friday evening as fans were eagerly awaiting a performance by the renowned Russian rock band, Picnic. The New York Times reports that videos circulating on social media captured the horrifying moment when gunmen entered the venue and opened fire on the crowd.
According to a reporter from the local news agency RIA Novosit, at least three individuals dressed in camouflage attire stormed the ground floor of Crocus City Hall, armed with automatic weapons. Chaos ensued as concertgoers scrambled for safety, resulting in numerous casualties. The exact number of assailants involved in the attack remains unknown, with state media agencies suggesting that up to five individuals may have participated.
In addition to the shooting, an explosion occurred at Crocus City Hall around 9:32 p.m. local time, leading to a fire that engulfed a significant portion of the complex. Helicopters were dispatched to rescue individuals stranded on the building’s roof, while another section of the roof, situated above the stage, reportedly collapsed.
The identity of the perpetrators and their motives are yet to be determined. The Investigative Committee, Russia’s equivalent of the FBI, has initiated a criminal case regarding the incident and dispatched a team to the scene. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not issued an official statement at the time of writing, although a spokesperson for the Kremlin confirmed that he was briefed on the situation shortly after it unfolded.
Moscow Mayor Sergei S. Sobyanin expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, describing the tragedy as a terrible event that occurred at the Crocus City shopping center. The attack comes in the wake of a security alert issued by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow on March 7, warning of potential extremist plans to target large gatherings in the city. However, there is currently no indication linking the shooting to Ukraine or any Ukrainian involvement, as stated by White House national security communications advisor John Kirby. Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak also emphasized that Ukraine had no connection to the attack.
Tensions between the United States and Russia have already emerged, with officials from both countries engaging in a war of words regarding any potential links or motives behind the incident. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry, called on Washington to share any information it may have about the attack, questioning the basis on which U.S. officials drew conclusions about someone’s innocence amidst the tragedy.
1 Response
While the tragedy at Crocus City Hall is indeed devastating, it is important to remember that mass shootings are not unique to any particular location or country. The focus on this incident in Moscow may inadvertently perpetuate the notion that such violence is more prevalent in certain regions. In reality, mass shootings occur in various countries around the world, including the United States, where they have become alarmingly frequent. Instead of singling out this incident, it would be more productive to address the broader issue of gun violence