40 killed & over 100 injured in shooting at Moscow concert

Russian state news agencies report that numerous people have been killed and wounded in a shooting at a music venue outside Moscow. New York Times verified video showing multiple gunmen, dressed in camouflage, entering Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, where Piknik were scheduled to perform; people were shown wounded on the ground. In another video verified by the Times, filmed from inside the venue, gunshots from outside and screaming are heard. Other videos show fire and smoke issuing from the venue.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSS) is quoted by TASS, the state news agency, as saying that at least 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured, Reuters reports. A second blast was also reported by Russian media, who say that some gunmen had barricaded themselves inside the venue.

Moscow Mayor Sergei S. Sobyanin called the events a “terrible tragedy,” and RIA Novosti said the Moscow regional governor made it to the scene not long after emergency services did.

As the Times points out, the US Embassy in Moscow issued a security alert to “avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours” earlier in the month, on March 7. “The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours,” it reads.

This is a developing story.