Moscow Concert Hall Mass Shooting: What We Know About Russia Attack

Several gunmen opened fire at Crocus City Hall, a concert hall in Moscow on Friday, injuring several people, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.

The Context:

Crocus City Hall is a large music venue located in the west of the Moscow Oblast. The shooting is the latest in Russia after a mass shooting occurred in 2021 prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to tighten gun laws across the country.

What We Know:

Many details about the shooting remained unclear Friday afternoon.

RIA Novosti reported that at least three people wearing camouflage opened fire, while the Kremlin said that at least 40 people were killed and more than 100 people were injured in the attack, according to the Associated Press.

According to one report, the suspected shooters also "threw a grenade or incendiary bomb." Unverified videos posted to social media showed flames and billows of smoke at the venue. Fire crews were dumping water on the burning building to put out fires, RIA Novosti reported.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova referred to the shooting as a terrorist attack, according to RIA Novosti.

Meanwhile, Russian news agency Tass reported that the shooters used automatic weapons. Law enforcement had arrived at the scene of the shooting, according to the agency. Andrey Vorobyov, governor of the Moscow region, also went to the scene.

Video posted to X, formerly Twitter, by Russia Today (RT) showed ambulances arrive at the scene.

"50 Ambulance teams dispatched to Crocus City Hall - Moscow Region Ministry of Health," the post reads.

Details about the identities of the suspected shooters, as well as what their motives may have been, remained unclear.

The shooting occurred ahead of a concert for Russian rock band Picnic, according to the AP. The venue is able to accommodate more than 6,000 people.

Earlier in March, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow warned that Americans should avoid crowded places in Russia due to threats of an "imminent attack," the AP reported.

Views:

According to the AP, White House national security adviser John Kirby said "the images are just horrible. And just hard to watch."

"Our thoughts are going to be with the victims of this terrible, terrible shooting attack. There are some moms and dads and brothers and sisters and sons and daughters who haven't gotten the news yet. This is going to be a tough day," he said.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin responded to the shooting in remarks previously reported by Reuters.

"A terrible tragedy occurred in the shopping center Crocus City today," he said. "I am sorry for the loved ones of the victims."

What's Next?

According to Russian media, law enforcement and first responders were still at the scene as of publication.

Update 3/22/24 2:30 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 3/22/24 3:09 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 3/22/24 3:41 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.