Cell phone and security footage shows four or five masked gunmen in combat fatigues storming the venue, killing concertgoers by the dozens. (RELATED: Police Disrupt Hamas Terror Plans In Europe, Is USA Next?)
Unsuspecting attendees were awaiting a performance by the Russian rock band Picnic (Пикник). Crocus City Hall has a capacity of 9,500; event organizers had sold over 6,000 tickets before the scheduled performance.
Russian special forces entered the premises an hour or so later to the sounds of more gunfire. None of the Crocus City Hall guards were armed. The assailants likely killed some of them at the beginning of their attack. (RELATED: Terrorist Shot & Killed By Armed Citizens: If Your Time Comes, Do The Same)
Multiple Russian news outlets suggested the assailants fled before special forces arrived. Authorities initiated an extensive manhunt late Friday for vehicles the terrorists may have used in their escape.
As of this article’s publication, casualty figures are at least 133 killed and over 145 injured.
Firefighters worked into the night ushering people out of the basement and rescuing others stranded on the burning roof. First responders eventually began to discover bodies in closets and other hiding spaces where victims suffocated from smoke inhalation.
The U.S. Embassy in Russia warned U.S. citizens over two weeks ago to avoid large gatherings in Moscow, including concerts, for “the next 48 hours.”
Despite this warning, Russian leader Vladimir Putin dismissed the possibility of a terror attack in public remarks made three days ago, implying they were deliberately provocative.
“I’ll remind you of recent, let’s say directly, provocative statements of certain official Western structures about potential terror attacks in Russia,” Putin said.
“All of this looks like obvious blackmail and an attempt to intimidate, destabilize our country,” he said before the state security agency FSB.
Putin in those remarks did not specify a country or warning. The U.S. embassy in Russia on March 7 warned U.S. citizens to avoid crowds.
Putin and Russian state-owned media have since baselessly alleged Ukrainian involvement in the attack.
“The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours,” the U.S. advisory dated March 7 read.
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