Russian Gunman Enters Sakhalin Cathederal, Kills 2

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Sakhalin – In the remote Eastern Russian Island of Sakhalin most people likely recognize from the board game “Risk”, a lone gunman entered a cathedral opening fire on attendees at Sunday services. In all there were eight casualties. Two of the victims lost their lives and include a nun. It is not believed that the shooting is any way related to the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.

The location of the island is in the Sea of Okhotsk which itself is just north of Japan. The city is 6,650 kilometers (4,130 miles) away from Sochi. Thus far, authorities have been quick to dispel any possible thought of a connection to the Olympics, but other than that the gunman’s motives are unclear. As for the six surviving victims, Archbishop Tikhon of the Russian Orthodox Church, they received non-life threatening wounds to the legs. He plans to hold a special prayer service for the victims today at the site of the shooting and even bless the location. However, that will occur only after the victims’ blood is removed. Ew!

The shooter was detained at the church until police arrived. He is now undergoing a psychiatric evaluation to determine the state of his mental health.

On The Web:
Russia Church Shooting: Gunman Opens Fire Inside Cathedral, Killing 2
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/09/russia-church-shooting_n_4754009.html