shot at school
In the vicinity of gymnasium 622 in St. Petersburgs Vyborg district, a 42 year old man was shot in the back of the head by an unidentified assailant who was escorting two young children to classes, according to eyewitness accounts collected by the online publication Fontanka. The incident left a vivid scene as photos from the scene circulated, showing the man lying on the road while crowds gathered nearby. Eyewitnesses told Fontanka that the assailant approached from behind and fired while the man was helping the children out of the car before vanishing from the scene. The weapon used was a Makarov pistol, and a 9 mm cartridge case was recovered at the location by police officers. Local television channel 78 reported that the man was shot as he was seeing his children to school and then returning to the car. The episode happened around 8:30 am on February 20, and Fontanka sources indicated that school activities continued without interruption despite the incident.
They are looking for the shooter
The injured man survived and was admitted to a hospital after receiving care from the Main Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia in St. Petersburg, according to the regional press service. The 78 news site later wrote that the victim was named Rustambek A., a citizen of Uzbekistan. He remained conscious but breathed with difficulty, and the children who were with him escaped unharmed. The criminal case was opened under Part 3 of Article 30 and Section 1 of Article 105 of the Criminal Code, as confirmed by the press service of the Regional Investigative Committee. The maximum penalty for attempted murder under this provision is a lengthy prison term, and investigators described the incident as a gunfire attack on the morning of February 20, 2024 on the Vyborg highway with lethal intent toward a man of 42 years. He fled the scene after the shooting, according to the regional investigative body. The investigation team continues to examine the scene and identify the shooter while determining the motive for the crime.
Law enforcement authorities are actively pursuing leads as the investigation proceeds. The focus remains on identifying the suspect and confirming the circumstances that led to the firearm discharge. The case has drawn attention to the safety of people in the area and the potential risks faced by individuals accompanying children to schools in the morning hours.
I shot the wrong man
Reports from agency sources in RIA News imply that the targeted individual might have been a driver connected to a St. Petersburg lawyer. Fontanka’s sources suggest the criminal may have intended to strike the victim’s boss rather than the man who was shot. The Telegram channel VChK-OGPU claimed the intended target was lawyer Viktor Patrushev, according to one account. An RIA Novosti source noted that the lawyer met with colleagues soon after the incident; this lawyer handles arbitration cases and does not typically engage with high profile criminal matters. The varying descriptions in the immediate aftermath emphasize the difficulty of confirming the exact target shortly after the event while authorities pursue formal statements and testimonies. Fontanka and other outlets have stressed caution, noting that early reports can diverge as investigators collect evidence and verify alibis and connections among those involved.