KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian special forces fatally shot an armed assailant Saturday after he murdered six people and held hostages inside a Kyiv supermarket, according to government officials.
Interior Ministry chief Ihor Klymenko announced on social media that tactical units breached the store following unsuccessful attempts by negotiators to communicate with the shooter. The perpetrator died while fighting against his capture, Klymenko stated.
During a press briefing at the location, Klymenko explained that the assailant had murdered four civilians on the street before entering the grocery store where he killed a fifth victim.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that a sixth casualty, a young woman, succumbed to her wounds at a medical facility.
An Associated Press journalist witnessed the deceased victims lying in the roadway under emergency coverings before being removed from the scene.
The shooter was born in 1968, Klymenko revealed, though he withheld additional identifying information. Police negotiators attempted communication with the attacker for approximately 40 minutes before launching their assault on the building, he reported.
Prior to the gunman’s death, a female police negotiator positioned behind an armored vehicle and wearing protective gear used amplification equipment to address the perpetrator, pleading: “the people are not to blame for this. Please, let them go and we will talk with you.”
“We tried to persuade him, knowing that there was likely a wounded person inside. We even offered to bring in tourniquets to stop the bleeding, but he did not respond,” Klymenko stated. “Consequently, the order was given to neutralize him.”
The Interior Ministry head, who was wearing protective gear, confirmed the suspect wielded a carbine rifle that was properly licensed and registered.
In December, the gunman “approached the licensing authorities to have the weapon test-fired as the permit was expiring. He provided a medical certificate. He had also submitted an application to renew his permit for the weapon. That is all we can say for now,” Klymenko explained.
He noted that investigators will examine which healthcare facility provided the medical documentation.
The violence occurred in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district, the mayor confirmed. Television coverage displayed officers seeking protection within the shopping center containing the supermarket as gunfire erupted. Civilians were evacuated from the area.
