Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Gunman kills 13 people in Azeri university rampage

Afet Mehtiyeva
Thursday 30 April 2009 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Thirteen people were killed at a university in Azerbaijan yesterday when a gunman went from floor to floor firing on teachers and students after the bell rang for morning classes.

The gunman, a Georgian citizen of Azeri origin, was among the dead.

The government said it did not see a political motive behind the shooting at the prestigious State Oil Academy in Baku, capital of the mainly Muslim former Soviet republic which exports oil and gas to Europe.

Blood stained the steps to the university and paramedics carried out bodies in bags. Thirteen people were also injured. "He climbed from the first floor to the sixth, shooting people mainly in the head with a Makarov pistol," the state prosecutor's office said. One witness said a student had tried to stop the gunman, approaching him and shouting: "Don't shoot, don't shoot!"

Police found three ammunition belts and 71 bullets on the body of the gunman, who shot himself. He was reportedly 29 years old and had left his family in Russia, after falling out with his father, and gone to Baku looking for work.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in