MOSCOW (AP) - Authorities say a man opened fire while attempting to rob a gun store in a southwestern Russian town, killing at least six people before fleeing.
Officials said Monday that the man, Sergei Pomyazun, opened fire in the store, killing four employees. Pomyazun then started shooting on the street outside, killing a 14-year-old girl, before escaping in a car. A second girl, 16, later died in the hospital.
Police locked down the entire neighborhood as they searched for the man, whom they say has four prior criminal convictions and is in possession of several guns.
Belgorod's provincial governor declared a state of emergency, while its mayor announced two days of mourning.
With gun control stricter than in many countries, such multiple killings are rare in Russia.