A gunman wearing a swastika on his t-shirt opened fire at a school in Russia, killing 15 people and wounding 24. Among these victims were 11 children, two security guards, and two teachers. The gunman has been identified as Artem Kazantsev. Following these murders, the 34-year-old turned the gun on himself.
It is not yet clear how old the victims of this shooting are, although the school is grades one through 11. Investigators say this neo-nazi gunman was a graduate of this school.
This shooting, east of Moscow, is being treated as an act of terrorism despite the motive not yet being determined. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described these killings as “a terrorist act by a person who apparently belongs to a neo-fascist organization or group.”
According to Russian state news agency Tass, the gunman was armed with two pistols along with a large supply of ammunition. The weapons found with him had braided keychains with the words “Columbine,” “Dylan” and “Eric” which indicated he was inspired by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the killers at Columbine High school shooting in 1999.
Kazantsev was a registered patient at a psychiatric facility. The New York Post stated, “Checks are being made into his adherence to neo-fascist views and Nazi ideology,” said Russia’s Investigative Committee, which handles major crimes.
There have been a number of shootings in Russia in recent years. In May of 2021, a gunman killed seven students and two employees in Kazan, and in September, six were killed and 47 injured at a university in Perm. The Russian government responded by tightening gun ownership laws.
Audrey Azoulay, head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), tweeted, “I strongly condemn this horrendous attack. Deepest condolences to [the] families of victims and the Russian people. We need immediate action to stop this senseless violence, and make schools safe.” The Russian families who lost their loved ones are mourning and expecting serious change to keep their children safe in school.
