School Shooting in Russia Kills at Least 9

  • By Matt Jones
  • May 11, 2021

A mass shooting at a Russian school has left at least nine dead and 20 injured. At School No. 175 in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia, about 500 miles east of Moscow, a gunman opened fire on Tuesday morning before being taken into police custody. The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old Ilnaz Galyaviyev.

Out of those killed, seven were eighth-grade students and two were adults. At least 21 were hospitalized, including 18 children, and six were left in critical condition. The majority of children injured were between 7 and 15 years old, regional health authorities said.

“It’s a great tragedy,” said Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov. “We have lost seven children—four boys, three girls. They died here on the third floor.” A teacher and another woman at the school were killed, as well, he said.

According to ABC News, videos show students flooding out of the school, jumping from high windows against the backdrop of gunfire, climbing down fire ladders, and lying on the grass outside the school covered in blood. Police and emergency workers responded immediately. Students also gave reports of locking themselves in their third-floor classrooms upon hearing gunfire and explosions. Several related that the suspect attempted to break down their classroom doors.

“He sort of started to smash the door,” a student named Adelya told a Russian news source. “Then the police came into the corridor. He ran and started shooting, and a bullet hit our door.”

The presumed suspect, Galyaviyev, is a former student of the school, having graduated four years ago. He attended college in Kazan but dropped out in April, the college told Russian news site RBC. Officials say he received a gun license last month for a semi-automatic shotgun, the weapon used in the attack.

The event is already one of the deadliest school shootings in Russian history, according to ABC News. President Vladimir Putin offered condolences to the victims and their families and also tasked authorities with re-examining national gun regulations.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning and Campus Security and Life Safety. He can be reached at [email protected]

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers