Tatarstan declares May 12 a day of mourning

Today is the Day of Mourning in Tatarstan. People bring flowers, candles and toys to Gymnasium No. 175 in Kazan. Residents of other Russian cities mourn the victims of the tragedy too. On May 11, a 19-year-old young man opened fire in a Kazan school. The shooting killed nine people, including seven children. 21 injured people were hospitalized. Several of the wounded remain in serious condition. The suspect has been detained. He has not been previously registered with the police or social services. He also had no problems in his family, the children’s rights ombudsperson in Tatarstan said. The educational institution where the young man studied describes him as a ‘serious, polite and attentive student.’

“I don’t have anything to do with this school, but I do have children. From the very beginning I was watching videos that other parents sent me. I was very worried about the children,” said one of the residents.

“I think it’s everyone’s grief. This disaster must remind us that people’s safety has to be a priority. And everyone should think of what they can do for this,” said another resident.

Translation by Assem Zhanmukhanova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova