Arctic School Shooting Triggers Criminal Inquiry into Safety Oversight in Russia

Law enforcement authorities in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District of the Russian Arctic announced on Tuesday that they have initiated a criminal investigation into a school shooting incident in Novy Urengoy.

According to a statement from the regional division of Russia’s Investigative Committee, «A student at a technical school discharged an air gun during class. Fortunately, there were no injuries.»

Investigators are currently gathering information to clarify the details surrounding the event and have opened a case regarding negligence and violations of safety protocols. The investigation will also look into the actions taken by the school administration and its security service.

The Telegram news outlet Baza, reportedly connected to Russian law enforcement, stated that the incident occurred at a vocational school affiliated with the energy company Gazprom. They claimed that a 17-year-old student borrowed an air pistol from a peer and fired it at an interactive whiteboard.

Novy Urengoy is located approximately 2,300 kilometers (1,429 miles) northeast of Moscow. This incident represents the second reported school attack in the city within just two days.

The day before, a schoolboy stabbed a security guard in the neck after the guard intervened in a dispute between the boy and a female student. Although the guard did not require hospitalization, the Investigative Committee announced that a negligence case had been opened concerning that event.

Baza reported that the alleged attacker was a 12-year-old fifth grader who had been subjected to bullying due to his weight. He allegedly brought a small kitchen knife from home, managing to evade a metal detector. Initially, he attacked the girl, who was protected by her thick jacket, before aiming the weapon at the security guard, according to Baza.

On Tuesday, police officials stated that there was no connection between the two incidents.

“These are distinct individuals and separate institutions. It’s merely a coincidence,” a representative from the regional Interior Ministry informed the news site Podyom.