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Education Ministry analyzes causes of Feb 3 school tragedy

Minister of Education and Science Dmitry Livanov says the ministry will announce the results of the analysis as soon as they are available

MOSCOW, February 06. /ITAR-TASS/. The Ministry of Education and Science looks into causes of the tragedy that occurred in school #263 in Moscow on February 3, Minister Dmitry Livanov told reporters on Thursday.

“Together with law-enforcement authorities, we are analyzing what led to the tragedy - psychological causes in particular, along with general causes, including everything related to security at schools,” the minister said. ”As soon as the analysis is made and decisions are taken, the ministry will announce it,” Livanov added.

On February 3, a senior pupil came to his school with two hunting guns that belonged to his father. According to the investigation materials, a guard at the entrance attempted to stop him, but the teenager threatened him with a gun. The guard managed to press an alarm button, but could not prevent the teenager from going to the classroom where pupils had a lesson. In the classroom, the boy shot dead a geography teacher. Police immediately arrived at the site after the guard’s alarm signal, but the teenager opened fire at them, killing one policeman and seriously wounding another.

The shooter was detained and placed under arrest. Most likely, he had some emotional breakdown, but it is unclear so far what caused it. He was an excellent pupil and had no conflicts with schoolchildren and teachers.

The wounded policeman is in hospital, and his condition is improving.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree awarding Orders of Valor to the killed teacher and policeman posthumously and the wounded policeman, the Kremlin press service said.