[a][2] At around 11:40 A.M., Gordeyev, concealing his weapons with a bag and fur coat,[3] went to his school armed with a Tikka T3 and a small-caliber rifle Browning SA-22[4] which belonged to his father,[5] a police colonel.

[1][8] 15-year-old Sergey Gordeyev (Russian: Сергей Гордеев, also spelled Sergei Gordeev; born October 4, 1998) was identified as the perpetrator of the shooting.

[1][8][9] Another version suggested that Gordeyev had an emotional disorder, yet he had had no previous apparent conflicts with either teachers or fellow pupils, although some described him as "strange".

[11] Politician Irina Yarovaya mentioned that the event might be linked to violent video games and recommended tighter gun control.

[1] At a meeting with theater workers, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that such tragedies might be prevented by placing a greater emphasis on culture in children's upbringing, such as the theatrical arts.