ISIS has reportedly claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall concert venue outside Moscow on Friday.
The attack left at least 40 dead and over 130 wounded after at least three gunmen in fatigues stormed the venue and began shooting bystanders and firing off incendiary devices.
Hours after the shooting, the terrorist organization allegedly claimed responsibility in a statement published to Telegram by the ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq, according to a report from CNN. 📍ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in Moscow. https://t.co/IAUIrbeROu pic.twitter.com/xJAgfg5QEU
— Çağatay Cebe (@Mucagcebe) March 22, 2024
A machine translation of the Telegram post reads as follows:
“Islamic state fighters attacked a large gathering of Christians in the city of Krasnogorsk on the outskirts of the capital, Moscow, killing and wounding hundreds and causing great destruction to the place before they withdrew to their bases safely.”
The attack took place as a band called Picnic was about to perform. The musicians were unharmed.
Shocking footage of the attack showed massive flames rising from the concert hall. Other videos showed the shooters targeting civilians seemingly at random.
WARNING: The following footage is extremely graphic. Viewer discretion is advised.
Russian special forces have now entered the building where a terrorist attack has occurred at a Moscow concert pic.twitter.com/9xW0pFsfH3 VIDEO shows armed terrorists open fire on innocent civilians in Moscow concert hall.
— Syrian Girl 🇸🇾 (@Partisangirl) March 22, 2024
The massacre comes less than 2 weeks after US claimed a terrorist attack in Moscow was “imminent.”
Dozens are reported dead.pic.twitter.com/QPIRBIK9DI
— Wyatt Reed (@wyattreed13) March 22, 2024
“We were sitting in the center of the hall. The concert began, just a couple of minutes passed, one or two grenades exploded in the middle, gray smoke started pouring out. Panic began,” a witness who was at the concert told Russian outlet RIA Novosti.
The United States appeared to have advance notice of an impending terrorist attack as the State Department had warned Americans to avoid large gatherings, specifically including concerts, just two weeks before the attack. An advisory was sent to US citizens to avoid large gatherings in Moscow.
They knew this was going to happen. pic.twitter.com/VLxbeU4cKx
— Sarah Fields (@SarahisCensored) March 22, 2024
When questioned by reporters about whether or not the U.S. had advance knowledge, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, “I don’t think that was related to this specific attack.”
Kirby also condemned the attack.
“Our thoughts are with the victims of this terrible shooting attack,” Kirby said. “The images are just horrible and just hard to watch.”
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin canceled all mass gatherings over the weekend.
“Today a terrible tragedy occurred in the Crocus City center. My condolences to the loved ones of the victims. I gave orders to provide all necessary assistance to everyone who suffered during the incident,” Sobyanin said in a statement.
