At Least 40 Dead, 100 Wounded, After Gunmen Storm Moscow Concert Hall

Update(1440ET): Russian state media as well as The Wall Street Journal's regional correspondent is

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createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+"://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs"); at least 40 people killed, and over 100 wounded and injured, in the unfolding major terror attack on Moscow's largest concert hall. 

Initial video has emerged showing what appears to be attackers in combat fatigues with assault rifles going around the mall part of the venue (which is attached to the concert hall) and shooing randomly (warning: graphic)...

‼️The attackers shoot a crowd of people. The video shows at least 4 people with guns pic.twitter.com/zqVBzUrewK

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv)

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There are reports from RT of follow-up blasts happening even amid a huge security, police, and emergency response. Watch a live feed from Russian state TV here.

More video of the gunmen shooting bystanders within the concert hall:

BREAKING: Footage shows deadly shooting in Moscow — 40 killed, 100 injured in terror attack in Moscow concert hall, local media reports

pic.twitter.com/uf7i1Qyt65

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper)

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A mere days ago the US Embassy in Moscow released the following alert telling all US nationals still in the country to avoid large gatherings and public venues. What did they know?

Russia has called the shooting a 'bloody terrorist attack' in an initial statement. The White House has also issued an initial assessment as follows:

• WHITE HOUSE: NO INDICATION AT THIS TIME THAT UKRAINE INVOLVED IN MOSCOW SHOOTING
• MOSCOW CANCELS ALL THE WEEKEND MASS GATHERINGS - MAYOR

Unconfirmed reports say some of the attackers may still be at large. Below--Warning, Graphic:

WARNING Not for the faint-hearted

Terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region: The death toll has risen to 140 — local media. It is reported that special forces are already in the building, and gunfire can be heard.

Join 'Voice of Europe' on Telegram… pic.twitter.com/jCJ9rlTLkY

— Voice of Europe (@V_of_Europe)

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Watch Live Feed of local media coverage below:

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Some kind of major attack just occurred at a Moscow concert hall with contradictory breaking reports emerging from on the ground and several circulating unconfirmed videos. There are possibly at least

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and videos from the scene showing a large fire and plumes of black smoke over the venue. It may have been the result of a large explosion, or possibly even a cross-border drone strike, but conflicting reports say this is likely a mass shooting situation. According to the breaking Associated Press report, at least three gunmen in combat gear stormed the concert hall, with riot police responding:

Several gunmen in combat fatigues burst into a big concert hall in Moscow on Friday and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people, Russian media said.

Russian news reports said that the assailants also used explosives, causing a massive blaze at the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow. Video posted on social media showed huge plumes of black smoke rising over the building.

EXPLOSION IN MOSCOW CONCERT HALL https://t.co/k5yNFeLLGO pic.twitter.com/3o8NbGDK1Y

— Russian Market (@runews)

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Video from inside the concert hall shows smoke and a chaotic scene of masses of people scrambling to evacuate the venue.

Unconfirmed statements say it happened at the largest indoor concert venue in Moscow, called Crocus City Hall.

The scope of the attack was clearly a very large, coordinated op or terror event.

BREAKING - Multiple fatalities reported after shooting in a Moscow concert hall in Russia, concert hall reportedly on fire

https://t.co/Bc2Ny0h1E2

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper)

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Russia's state RIA Novosti news agency said that several gunmen opened fire on the crowd in Moscow concert hall, resulting in unknown casualties, the AP has cited.

The incident has unfolded at during a week of rapidly escalating cross-border attacks on Russian territory from Ukraine, and also large-scale retaliatory strikes on Ukraine by Russian aerial forces.

Reports of armed men storming the concert hall, but the visuals also strongly suggest a large explosion...

An apparent terrorist attack at a club/shopping center in Moscow before a performance started. Dozens wounded and dead. There was also an explosion and the building is on fire.
Early videos show multiple men (3, per state media) in camo shooting rifles. pic.twitter.com/WCRmznrldq

— Aric Toler (@AricToler)

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A massive emergency and security response is ongoing:

MORE THAN 50 AMBULANCE CREWS SENT TO SITE OF SHOOTING NEAR MOSCOW - RIA

developing...