Horrific events transpired at a supermarket today as a single gunman reportedly initiated a shooting incident and held hostages.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that five individuals tragically lost their lives during the distressing event that unfolded in the capital city of Kyiv. Additionally, at least 15 people, including a child, sustained injuries as confirmed by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Disturbing video footage captured the assailant wielding an automatic weapon inside the Velmart supermarket while keeping hostages in his grasp.
Following unsuccessful negotiations, Ukrainian special forces swiftly intervened by storming the store and neutralizing the suspect. Ukraine’s interior ministry head, Ihor Klymenko, affirmed that the threat was successfully eliminated.
The perpetrator has been identified as Dmitry Vasylchenkov, a 57-year-old individual born in Moscow but possessing Ukrainian citizenship.
An official statement reported, “Special forces of the National Police launched an operation at the store where the assailant was situated. He held hostages and fired at a police officer during the arrest. Prior to this, negotiators attempted to establish communication with him.”
The gunman was also armed with a Kel-Teс Sub-2000 semi-automatic carbine, a firearm that can be legally obtained by any physically fit Ukrainian citizen over the age of 25 with a hunting license.
The motive behind the incident, whether linked to the ongoing conflict with Russia, remains unclear.
A witness account mentioned, “A terrorist shot a young girl who was innocently walking down a street in Kyiv.”
Reports indicated that he had taken individuals hostage inside the Velmart supermarket after barricading himself within a shopping complex.
Earlier statements from Mayor Klitschko revealed, “Two fatalities occurred in a shooting incident in Kyiv’s Goloseevsky district. The gunman remains inside the supermarket. Five injured individuals from a street shooting have been admitted to a local hospital, including a child and a supermarket security guard where the assailant is currently situated.”
