Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov shot dead in Ankara
A suit and tie-clad gunman opened fire on Russia’s ambassador to Turkey at a photo exhibition in Ankara Monday, assassinating the diplomat in front of a shocked crowd.
Andrei Karlov, 62, was taken to a nearby hospital following the grisly shooting but was later pronounced dead, Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.
Andrei Karlov was several minutes into a speech at the embassy-sponsored exhibition in the capital, Ankara, when he was attacked.
Karlov was several minutes into a speech at the embassy-sponsored exhibition, “Russia through the Eyes of Turks” in the capital when a man wearing a suit and tie shouted “Allahu akbar” and fired multiple shots, striking Karlov.
The suspected gunman Mevlut Mert Altintas gestures as Andrei Karlov lays on ground following the attack.
The attacker, identified by Turkish authorities as 22-year-old Mevlut Mert Altintas, continued shouting and pointing his gun as Karlov lay wounded and attendees cowered in fear.
The gunman, who officials said was an off-duty riot police officer, was later shot and killed by Turkish police.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the shooting was a terrorist attack and that Karlov was shot “when an unidentified assailant opened chaotic gunfire during a public event in Ankara.”
She added that Russian officials were in contact with Turkish counterparts, and Turkish state media reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had called Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday evening.
U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby issued a statement following the attack.
“We condemn this act of violence, whatever its source,” Kirby said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”
Karlov – who was married with a son – started his diplomatic career in 1976 and served in diplomatic posts to Korea before being named ambassador to Turkey in 2013.
Zakharova said that he was a “unique diplomat” and a “brilliant professional.”
