Gunman kills Russian ambassador to Turkey, shouts ‘Don’t forget Syria’

The Russian ambassador to Turkey was shot and killed on Monday, a Russia Foreign Ministry spokeswoman confirmed to the Associated Press.

AP reported that the attacker shouted “Allahu Akbar” before he fired at Karlov. He was also heard shouting in Turkish, “Don’t forget Aleppo! Don’t forget Syria!” and seen smashing some photos in the exhibition.

“We are currently in contact with Turkish authorities who are assuring us that a thorough, comprehensive investigation will be conducted,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova is quoted as saying on Russian television. “Murderers will be punished. Terrorism won’t sustain. We’ll fight it,” she said.

“A memory about this outstanding diplomat will always remain in our hearts,” Zakharova added. “He’s a diplomat who’s contributed a lot in fighting terrorism during his career.”

Andrei Karlov was giving a speech at a photography exhibition, sponsored by the Russian embassy, in the Turkish capital of Ankara. An AP photographer attending the exhibition said a gunman fired at Karlov at least eight times.

Turkish police shot and killed the gunman, Turkish station NTV reported.

Karlov served as Russian ambassador to Turkey since 2013. Previously, he was the ambassador to North Korea from 2001 to 2006.

“We condemn this act of violence, whatever its source,” U.S. state department spokesman John Kirby said on Twitter. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

A video circulating online shows the Karlov being shot in the back and collapsing to the ground.