Gunmen Open Fire in Suspected Terror Attack on Major Moscow Concert Hall
Sergey Bobylev / Sputnik via AP
Several gunmen opened fire on concertgoers at major venue in Moscow, Russia, according to multiple reports. Footage posted online purportedly showed the gunman, clad in military fatigues and toting rifles, shooting inside Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow. Other videos showed the venue ablaze.
Smoke rises above the Crocus City Hall concert venue following a reported shooting incident, near Moscow, Russia. Several gunmen in combat fatigues burst into a concert hall on March 22 and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people. Sergey Bobylev / Sputnik via AP
Russian news also reported that the gunmen used explosives, causing a massive fire with “huge plumes of black smoke” rising over the building. Riot police are now reportedly evacuating people from the venue.
Russia’s security agency says 40 people were killed in the attack and more than 100 were wounded.
The Associated Press reported on the footage posted online:
Extended rounds of gunfire could be heard on multiple videos posted by Russian media and Telegram channels. One showed two men with rifles moving through the mall. Another one showed a man inside the auditorium, saying the assailants set it on fire, with incessant gunshots ringing out in the background.
Moscow officials said they are setting up a task force in the area but didn’t go into detail. Riot police are reportedly on scene to evacuate concertgoers.
An apparent terrorist attack at a club/shopping center in Moscow before a performance started. Dozens wounded and dead. There was also an explosion and the building is on fire.
Early videos show multiple men (3, per state media) in camo shooting rifles. pic.twitter.com/WCRmznrldq— Aric Toler (@AricToler) March 22, 2024
This is a breaking story and has been updated.
