Shooting in polytechnic college – names of some victims already released

On Wednesday, 19 people were allegedly killed and almost 40 wounded in a shooting at a Kerch polytechnic college. The killer turned the gun on himself and was also killed.

The mass murderer was identified as Vladislav Roslyakov, a student at the college. He was said to have used a shotgun or rifle for the attack some reports state that some of the victim's names have already been released.

A number of witnesses recalled a gunman going on a killing rampage in the college halls while firing at classmates and teachers. Vladislav Roslyakov, 18, only stopped shooting when he ran out of ammunition.

Contradictory reports state that a bomb may have been detonated during the attack. Several more explosive devices were said to have been disarmed at the college in what was initially thought to be a terrorist attack.

For more on this story go to our Twitter account @amomama_usa. Sergei Aksyonov, Crimea’s regional head was the one who announced the identity of the murderer on television.

Some Russian media said Roslyakov shared with acquaintances that he was angry at his teachers and wanted to “get revenge.” A clear motive for the attack hasn’t been disclosed.

In Russia, school shootings are rare partly because rifles and handguns are hard to come by. However, the shooter had recently received a hunting licence according to a regional official.

That meant he may have legally owned his weapon. A government body called The National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) confirmed that an “unidentified explosive device” had been detonated at the college.

It had metal strips that acted as shrapnel. Despite this, the bodies of those killed mostly had gunshot wounds, according to the country’s Investigative Committee.

A three-day mourning period will be held by Crimea for those killed in the attack. Russian authorities dispatched 12 doctors to the peninsula and said they would take some of the wounded to elite Moscow hospitals for treatment.

President Vladimir Putin issued his condolences to the families of those killed and ordered a full investigation. The government also promised free medical care to the wounded and financial support to families of the dead.

The US has seen a spate of mass murders this year. One that made the biggest headlines was the February 14, mass shooting that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Nicholas Cruz, 19, was arrested for the crime.

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