Shooting at the Chisinau Airport
Quick Hit: June 30, 2023
Early this evening a foreign citizen shot and killed 2 people at the Chisinau International Airport. The man was identified as a 43 year old citizen of Tajikistan who had been denied entry to Moldova for “security reasons.” While being escorted to a holding area the man stole the gun of a board guard and used it to kill him and an airport security officer. One passenger was injured and is being treated at a local hospital.
Fulger special forces (SWAT) detained the shooter who is reportedly injured. Earlier reports said that the shooter barricaded himself in a position that the police were preparing to assault. We do not have firm details at this time as to how events unfolded.
Videos filmed by passengers and shared to telegram indicate that many shots, at least 9, are fired. Incredibly, in one video it takes bystanders over 20 seconds to react in fear to the sound of continuous gunfire. This is a better indicator than any other of just how unheard of and inconceivable a shooting like this is in Moldova .
President Sandu issued a statement saying:
"Today, a serious incident took place at the airport, during which a foreign citizen, who was denied entry into the country by the authorities of the Republic of Moldova, shot dead two people - a border guard and an airport security officer.
Our sincere condolences to the families and relatives of the victims. The loss of loved ones is a huge pain for families. This is a sad day for all of us.
State institutions have been put on high alert, the police and law enforcement agencies have been mobilized throughout the territory of the Republic of Moldova,”
The airport was evacuated and all flights suspended “until the situation is resolved.” Prosecutors have opened a criminal case under Moldova’s criminal offense of a “terrorist act committed by killing several people.”
For context, remember that the Moldovan border police refuse entry to between 20 and 30 persons a day. Many, like the shooter, were denied entry for “security reasons.”Just yesterday a man police identified as a member of the Wagner Mercenary Group was refused entry and deported, one of 32 in the last 24 hours. At the time we do not know the identity or background of the shooter.
We do know the identity of the border guard. His name was Sergiu Muntean from Ștefan Vodă.
Moldova Matters will come back with updates as the authorities release more details about this crime.
Have you read the BBC report on this? It is remarkably similar to your report.