Live updates: Death toll in Moscow concert hall shooting climbs to 137

Sunday, March 24, 2024

1408 GMT — Russian investigators said they had found weapons and ammunition at the Moscow concert hall hit in Friday's attack, as the death toll rose to 137.

"The bodies of 137 people, three of whom are children, have been found at the scene," Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement, adding that guns and rounds of ammunition had been found both there and in a car that was used by the suspected gunmen to flee the scene.

More updates 👇

1404 GMT — Suspects in concert attack near Moscow brought to Investigation Committee's HQ: RIA

Suspects in the Crocus City Hall shooting were brought to the Investigation Committee's headquarters in Moscow, Russian state news agency RIA has reported.

Russian authorities put the number of dead in Friday's mass shooting at a concert call on the edge of Moscow at 137 people, including three children, up from earlier estimate of 133, the Investigation Committee said.

1207 GMT — Putin allies demand return of death penalty after Moscow attack

Several senior members of Russian President Vladimir Putin's government have called for the country to bring back the death penalty following Friday's attack on a Moscow concert hall.

Russia has had a moratorium on capital punishment since the 1990s but calls are growing in the Putin camp to lift it in the wake of the deadliest attack in the country for two decades.

"Now a lot of questions are being asked about the death penalty," Vladimir Vasilyev, head of the ruling United Russia party in the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, said on Saturday.

"This topic will definitely be deeply, professionally and substantively worked out. A decision will be made that will meet the mood and expectations of our society," Vasilyev said in a video statement.

1032 GMT — Pope condemns Moscow attack as 'vile' act that offends God

Pope Francis has condemned the shooting attack at the concert hall near Moscow as a "vile" act that offends God, saying his prayers were with the victims.

"I assure my prayers for the victims of the vile terrorist attack carried out in Moscow, may the Lord receive them in his peace, comfort their families and convert the hearts of those who ... carry out these inhuman actions that offend God," the Pope said in St. Peter's Square after the Palm Sunday mass.

0949 GMT — 'They always blame others': Zelenskyy

Russians "always blame others," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after officials in Moscow said four people directly involved in a deadly attack on a concert hall in the capital region had been detained while on their way to Ukraine.

"What happened in Moscow yesterday is obvious, and Putin and other scums are trying to shift the blame to someone else. Their methods are always the same. We have seen it all before. There were blown-up houses, mass shootings, and explosions. And they always blame others," Zelenskyy said in an evening address late on Saturday.

Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has vowed to punish the perpetrators, "remained silent for a day, thinking about how to link this to Ukraine."

“And if the Russians are ready to silently die in ‘crocuses’ and not ask any questions to their security and intelligence agencies, then Putin will try to turn such a situation to his personal advantage again,” he added.

0838 GMT — Russia in mourning after deadly concert hall attack in Moscow

Russia is observing a national day of mourning on Sunday after a deadly attack at a concert hall in Moscow region.

Flags were lowered to half-mast, while people laid flowers at Crocus City Hall, the concert hall where armed men opened fire on Friday, killing at least 133 people and injuring 152 others.

President Vladimir Putin has pledged to punish those behind the “purposeful massacre,” saying four gunmen trying to flee to Ukraine had been arrested.

"I express my deep, sincere condolences to all those who lost their loved ones. The whole country and our entire people are grieving with you," he said in an address to the nation on Saturday.

0719 GMT — Ukraine not involved in Moscow attack: US vice president

US Vice President Kamala Harris has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's insinuation that Ukraine could be involved in Friday's attack on a concert hall in the Moscow region that killed at least 133 people.

In an interview with ABC News Senior Congressional Correspondent Rachel Scott, Harris answered "no" when questioned if Washington had evidence to back Putin's accusation.

“And first, let me start by saying what has happened is an act of terrorism and the number of people who've been killed is obviously a tragedy and we should all send our condolences to those families."

"No, there is no, whatsoever, any evidence and, in fact, what we know to be the case is that ISIS-K is actually, by all accounts, responsible for what happened,” she added.

For our live updates from Saturday, March 23, click here.