12-Year-Old Student Opens Fire at a School in Perm

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Perm region of Russia has confirmed that today, on October 18, a 12-year-old student opened fire at the Sarsinsky Secondary School.

According to preliminary information, he fired two shots from a Saiga hunting rifle at the wall and ceiling. There are no casualties or injuries reported.

"The minor has been taken into custody. It has been established that he is a sixth-grade student at this school. The motives behind his actions and the source of weapon acquisition are being investigated," noted the ministry's press service.

According to the 112 Telegram channel, the 12-year-old shooter had stolen the weapon from his father. He claimed that during the night he saw God in a dream, who told him what to do. He also expressed a strong desire to "talk" to his classmates.

The student managed to fire two shots before he was restrained. Teachers heard the gunfire and immediately locked all classrooms where children were present. Earlier reports had indicated that the shooting occurred at a school in the town of Sars, near Perm. Hearing the gunshots, teachers locked the school doors and classrooms.

As reported by the regional Ministry of Emergency Situations, the school principal was able to "neutralize" the student by negotiating with him and persuading the teenager to abandon his plans for an attack. At the time of the incident, there were more than 300 children and 30 teachers in the school building.