Shooting in Perm. What the survivors of a similar tragedy in Kazan say | Russia and Russians: A View from Europe

On September 20, 2021, 18-year-old Timur Bekmansurov shot 6 people at Perm University. Three months earlier, 19-year-old Ilnaz Galyaviev opened fire in the Kazan gymnasium No. 175, killing 9 people. The authorities of Tatarstan expressed condolences to the families of those killed in Perm, and residents of Kazan are sharing their experiences on social networks.

“I share with you grief and sorrow”

“The news of the brutal attack on the Perm State National Research University with pain echoed in the hearts of the Tatarstan people. I express my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims. We grieve. I wish the victims a speedy recovery,” Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov wrote on his Instagram page.

At the site of the tragedy in Kazan

Three months ago, Minnikhanov himself was at the scene of a similar tragedy. Then, on May 11, 19-year-old Ilnaz Galyaviev at about 10 am opened fire in the Kazan gymnasium No. 175. His victims were seven students and two teachers. Galyaviev is now in the Butyrka pre-trial detention center and has gained fame. They write fanfiction about him, they collect money for him for a lawyer.

Galyaviev himself said that he committed the massacre out of hatred. Timur Bekmansurov justified himself with the same feeling. He told about the planned attack on the Perm University on his page in “Vkontakte”. Like Galyaviev, the Perm shooter bought a weapon in advance, having passed all the checks, and practiced shooting.

“On behalf of all Kazan citizens and on my own behalf, I express my deepest condolences to the relatives of the victims and injured, as well as to all residents of Perm. I share with you grief and sorrow and sincerely understand all the storm of feelings. The events of the fateful May day of this year in Kazan, we will probably not forget We were shocked and confused, but felt tremendous support from all over our country and the world, “said Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin.

“Youth needs goals and perspectives for the future”

“Nothing has changed in kindergartens and schools since the last tragedy in Kazan, there is no security! Anyone can come in, it’s time to change the security system. Everything is carefully guarded at elections, resources are found. Why can’t we provide decent conditions for the daily protection of our children?” , – the user Diana Matveeva writes in the comments on the official page of Tatarstan on Instagram.

Local artist Adelina Minnegalieva posted screenshots with media headlines about the tightening of arms trafficking following the shooting in Kerch and Kazan. “And what will we learn after all these assignments? What the hell, the year that the shooting took place in Kazan, it takes place in Perm. I have no words, only emotions. I sympathize with all the victims. Permians hold on, I you, oh, as I understand now “, – the artist wrote.

Students jump out of the windows of the Perm University, fleeing the shooting (September 20, 2021)

Tatarstan journalist Rasim Khaziev blamed society and the lack of systematic work with young people for the incident. “For young people to have healthy nerves, it is necessary to have a goal for the future and an awareness of the prospects in this very future …”, Rasim Khaziev wrote on his Instagram page.

The authors of the Tatarstan Telegram-channel “Failure” consider the proposed bans on arms trafficking to be populism. “The problem lies much deeper, and prohibitions cannot solve it. To stop the thugs, profound changes in society are needed: young people must have far-reaching goals, awareness of prospects and understanding of their future. nuts and stuffs people with artificial patriotism and traditional values built on the events of almost a century ago, in which officials themselves have not believed for a long time. “

Kazan blogger Alber Bikbov saw the reasons for both the Kazan and Perm tragedies in the peculiarity of Russian capitalism. “The monstrous property stratification, the monstrous inequality in incomes, which is now observed in Russia, acts as a cancerous tumor not only on the collective consciousness of the entire society, but also on the most sensitive and receptive part of it – the young. They have no future because they see how poorly social and property elevators work, “Bikbov said.

Memorial in memory of the victims

After the tragedy in Perm, Kazan educational institutions again announced the strengthening of security measures. Security officials were pulled to the buildings of universities, schools and kindergartens. The administrations of educational institutions conducted additional instructions for the guards, tightened the access regime. At the same time, in the center of Kazan, the Ministry of Youth of Tatarstan organized a memorial in memory of those killed in Perm. Students and teachers of Tatarstan universities are carrying flowers and candles. According to media reports, about a hundred people have already gathered at the memorial.

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An attack on a gymnasium in Kazan. Photos from the scene of the tragedy
Mourning for the victims of the shooting in Kazan
May 12 was declared a day of mourning in Tatarstan. Classes have been canceled in all schools of the republic, state flags have been lowered on the buildings. The victims of the shooting at gymnasium No. 175 are mourned throughout the country. A day after the tragedy, people continue to bring flowers, toys and candles to the spontaneously organized memorials in Kazan, Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia.

An attack on a gymnasium in Kazan. Photos from the scene of the tragedy
Shooting in gymnasium number 175
On May 11, in Kazan, at gymnasium No. 175, which is located on Jaudata Faizi Street, there was a shooting. The 19-year-old attacker opened fire on one of the floors of the building where the classes were held.

An attack on a gymnasium in Kazan. Photos from the scene of the tragedy
Dozens of victims of the shooting in the gymnasium
As a result of the shooting in the gymnasium, 9 people, eighth grade students, and also a teacher were killed. At least 20 people were injured. 8 schoolchildren aged from 9 to 15 years old are in serious condition. The rest of the victims are in a state of moderate severity, among them are students aged 7 to 9, as well as a woman of 50 and a man of 62, the age of another victim is being specified.

An attack on a gymnasium in Kazan. Photos from the scene of the tragedy
What is known about the attacker
The shooting in the gymnasium was opened by 19-year-old Ilnaz Galyaviev. He was detained by officers of the Russian Guard and handed over to the police. The detainee attended college at the Tatar Institute for Business Promotion, but was expelled in April due to academic debt. He was not a member of extremist groups and was not prosecuted. The motive for the attack on the gymnasium could have been “revenge and hatred.”

An attack on a gymnasium in Kazan. Photos from the scene of the tragedy
Where did the attacker get the weapon?
According to the official representative of the Russian Guard, Valery Gribakin, the detainee owned a weapon legally. A 19-year-old boy who attacked the gymnasium received a hunting ticket on February 16 and two months later bought and registered a Turkish-made Hatsan escort smoothbore gun.

An attack on a gymnasium in Kazan. Photos from the scene of the tragedy
Who guarded the gymnasium
The gymnasium was previously guarded by a private security company, but during the coronavirus pandemic, the parents of schoolchildren refused the services of security guards. According to media reports, she was the first to block the path of the shooter of the watchman. She managed to press the panic button, calling the Russian Guard. According to media reports, the watchman was wounded.

An attack on a gymnasium in Kazan. Photos from the scene of the tragedy
Safety in educational institutions
The Tatarstan Prosecutor’s Office has begun an investigation into the attack on the gymnasium. A legal assessment will be given to the actions of the school administration in an emergency. The Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation recommended that all preschool and educational institutions of the Russian Federation strengthen security measures. The letter with recommendations sent to the regions of the Russian Federation contains rules to ensure the preservation of the life and health of students and employees of organizations.

An attack on a gymnasium in Kazan. Photos from the scene of the tragedy
Was the attack a terrorist attack?
An emergency meeting of the anti-terrorist commission of Tatarstan was held in Kazan with the participation of the head of the republic, Rustam Minnikhanov. The families of those killed in the tragedy will receive 1 million rubles each, payments to the victims will amount to 400 thousand for severe and moderate injuries and 200 thousand for minor injuries. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation opened a criminal case under the article on murder.

An attack on a gymnasium in Kazan. Photos from the scene of the tragedy
Mourning in Tatarstan
The relatives and friends of the victims continue to express condolences. Residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg and other cities of the Russian Federation organized spontaneous memorials near the buildings of the permanent mission of Tatarstan, where people bring toys, flowers and light candles.
Author: Natalia Pozdnyakova