At 14:00 (GMT+11) on 9 February 2014, Stepan Komarov, carrying a shotgun, entered the cathedral, where a service commemorating the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Orthodox Church had recently ended.

[5] A parishioner, Vladimir Viktor Zaporozhets, charged the shooter and attempted to stop him, but was shot four times in the head, chest, and legs, dying at the scene.

[6][8] After shooting the victims, Komarov fired shots at icons inside the cathedral, and broke the cross at the entrance of the royal doors.

[6] Church officials and the investigation stated that the shooting was motivated by his distaste for the Orthodox faith, which was formed by his neo-pagan beliefs.

[18] Komarov testified during the trial, saying that he committed the shooting for "personal and strong convictions", but later recanted his statement and gave no motive.

[14] On 12 April, prosecutors appealed to change the verdict, which the Supreme Court granted on 18 June, sentencing Komarov to life imprisonment.

[24] State Duma deputy Nikolay Kovalyov proposed to regulate the activities of private security companies like Komarov's employer.