Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk cathedral shooting
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Resurrection Cathedral
Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin Oblast, Russia
14:00 (GMT+11)
| Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk cathedral shooting | |
|---|---|
.JPG) The Resurrection Cathedral in June 2014 | |
  Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Sakhalin Oblast)  Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Russia) | |
| Location | 46°57′39″N 142°44′53″E / 46.96071°N 142.74816°E Resurrection Cathedral Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin Oblast, Russia |
| Date | 9 February 2014 14:00 (GMT+11) |
Attack type | Mass shooting |
| Weapons | Pump-action shotgun |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Injured | 6 |
| Perpetrator | Stepan Aleksandrovich Komarov |
| Defender | Vladimir Viktor Zaporozhets |
| Motive | Anti-Christian sentiment |
On 9 February 2014, a mass shooting occurred at the Resurrection Cathedral in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin Oblast, Russia. Security guard Stepan Komarov shot eight people, killing two, before being arrested. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2015.
Before the shooting, Komarov expressed anti-religious beliefs. He obtained the weapon used in the shooting from his employer, a private security company, sparking some controversy.
At 14:00 (GMT+11) on 9 February 2014, Stepan Komarov, carrying a shotgun, entered the cathedral, where a service commemorating the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Orthodox Church had recently ended.[1][2] A witness said that he was wearing a black security guard uniform.[3] Congregants and clergy were still present, although most attendees of the service had left.[4] According to eyewitnesses, Komarov approached the altar and yelled, "Everyone, get out of here!"[3] After the congregants began running towards the exit, he opened fire.[5]
A parishioner, Vladimir Viktor Zaporozhets, charged the shooter and attempted to stop him, but was shot four times in the head, chest, and legs, dying at the scene.[6][7] Nun Lyudmila Pryashnikova, who was the first person to report the shooting, was also killed at the scene.[6] Six other people were wounded.[6][8] After shooting the victims, Komarov fired shots at icons inside the cathedral, and broke the cross at the entrance of the royal doors.[6] He reportedly yelled about his hatred for Christianity and believers.[6] Police officers arrived and arrested Komarov, who offered no resistance.[3][9]