Russian School Shooting Leaves 13 Dead, Others Wounded—Izhevsk Officials

A school shooting has left 13 people dead, including seven children, and at least 21 others wounded in the central Russian city of Izhevsk, according to officials.

Russia's Interior Ministry confirmed the incident in a statement on Telegram. The Udmurtia branch of the Interior Ministry said the gunman had killed himself, and that police had found his body.

Russia's Investigative Committee identified the gunman as Artem Kazantsev, born in 1988, a native of Izhevsk, and a graduate of the school. The committee said he wore a black t-shirt with "Nazi symbols."

"Currently, investigators of the Russian Investigative Committee are conducting a search at his place of residence, the identity of the attacker, his views and surroundings are being studied," the committee said in a statement. "His adherence to neo-fascist views and Nazi ideology is being investigated."

Alexander Brechalov, governor of the Udmurtia region, earlier released a video statement saying that the shooter entered a school in the city of 640,000 in central Russia and killed several children and a guard.

"There are victims among the children, there are wounded too," Brechalov said.

Russia's Investigative Committee said 14 children and 7 adults were among the wounded in the shooting that took place in the city which is located about 600 miles east of Moscow.

Alexei Kuznetsov, an assistant to Russia's minister of health, said 14 ambulance teams provided medical assistance.

Alexander Khinshtein, a deputy of Russia's State Duma parliament, citing preliminary information, said on his Telegram channel that the gunman was armed with two "traumatic pistols" that had been converted to fire live ammunition. The weapons typically are loaded with rubber bullets or other less lethal projectiles.

The gunman reportedly infiltrated the school by first killing a security guard.

School No. 88, located on Pushkinskaya Street in Izhevsk, teaches 982 students between grades 1 and 11, and employs 80 teachers, Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Videos circulating on social media in the aftermath of the shooting showed police cars and ambulances, and people in uniform near the school. Footage also showed children leaving the school, and medical personnel holding a stretcher.

Russia's Investigative Committee is conducting an investigation into the shooting.

A period of mourning has been declared in the Udmurtia region from September 26 to 29.

Brechalov said psychological support will be provided to relatives of the dead and injured.

Newsweek has contacted Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment.

Update 9/26/22, 6:43 a.m. ET: This article was updated with later information.