Schutter opens fire to churchgoers

machatsjkala - An archer opened fire in the southern Russian region of Dagestan on people celebrating the Russian Orthodox folk festival Maslenitsa (pancake party). In addition, at least five women were killed and five people were injured.

According to a police source in the city of Kizliar where the attack took place, the 22-year-old shooter was shot dead by security services. He was in possession of a shotgun and a knife. The motive for the shooting is not yet known.

The mayor of Kizliar said that the victims left a church service when the man started shooting. Four women died on the spot, the fifth died in the hospital. Among the wounded are two police officers.

In the northern Caucasus, in which Dagestan is located, there are regular firefights, especially against the authorities. In the region, criminal gangs and radical Islamic groups fight against the central government.