Victims of the attack on the Orthodox church in Kizlyar were remembered in Russia's main cathedral. Patriarch Kirill held the funeral service for the killed parishioners in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The causes of the tragedy were human hatred and madness, said the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill: "When you hear about such tragical events taking place somewhere far away, you perceive it with sorrow. But this anger-driven action touches us so deeply because the victims were of our faith and from our country.”
The attack shocked both Orthodox and Muslims. February 20 was declared a mourning day in Kizlyar. Report by Sarkar Magomedov
The 23-year-old extremist Khalil Khalilov armed with a knife and a gun shoots people leaving the church after the festive service. The building of the church was the only shelter for about 50 parishioners.
Valentina, witness:"When he started shooting, the bullet flew right between the car and me".
Other parishioners helped her to escape, while the killer kept shooting after them. Policemen and Rosgvardia soldiers came to the scene just three minutes after the call.
A police officer wounded in a special operation: "We surrounded him, he had nowhere to go. I shouted to him: "Throw the gun, throw it!"
The killer was offered to surrender but shot a police car instead and got eliminated. Two policemen were wounded. A criminal case has already been opened.
Svetlana Petrenko, Investigative Committee: "We explore all kinds of versions. One of them is terrorism".
The Head of the City Council of veterans Vera Morgunova was one of the victims. She heroically survived in 1999, when a gang of Raduyev rebels attacked Kizlyar. Morgunova and two other citizens saved the wounded man, literally dragging him out of the shooting.
Varlaam, Archbishop: "It's obvious for everyone that this is a provocation. I received many condolences from the Mufti, from many Muslims of our republic and from our neighbors".
Vladimir Vasiliev, acting head of Dagestan, came to Kizlyar to commemorate the victims. He arrived accompanied by representatives of all religions of Dagestan.
Vladimir Vasiliev, acting head of the Republic of Dagestan: "Those who wanted to split the multinational and multi-confessional people of Dagestan achieved a reverse reaction. We are even more united than before".
Ahmad Abdulayev, Mufti: "The fact that we are here today speaks without words that Dagestan is united and we have nothing to quarrel about".
All day long people came to Kizlyar not only to honor the memory of the five dead, but also to pray for the health of the wounded. Two policemen stopped the killer risking their lives and sustaining severe injuries: their legs got almost splintered.
Magomed Ramazanov, policeman: "We are policemen, we have to protect everyone. Religion or nationality don't matter to us: we will protect both Christians and Muslims".
A woman had an arm amputated, she is grave. Another victim was flown to Moscow by a special plane. How long had Khalilov been preparing for this attack? Did someone help him? If yes, who was it? Investigators have hard work ahead. Meanwhile, Kizlyar needs to reel from the loss. The local authorities have already announced that assistance will be provided to all victims.
Sarkar Magomedov, Salekh Salekhov, Abdullah Magomedov, Kristina Magomedova — Vesti Dagestan
