Shots Fired Outside Of U.S. Embassy In Turkey Hours After Russian Ambassador Is Murdered

Russian ambassador Andrey Karlov was assassinated while giving a speech at an art exhibition in Ankara, Turkey Monday. The Turkish shooter, who was a 22-year-old off-duty police officer, shouted “Allahu Akbar (God is Great). We die in Aleppo, you die here!” as he carried out the attack. He was killed in a shootout with other officers.

Hours later, a man opened fired at the U.S. embassy nearby.

According to the Daily Sabah newspaper, which posted video of the incident, the unidentified man was arrested after firing shots into the air and shouting a warning at the U.S.

 

“I swear to God, do not play with us,” the man yelled in Turkish.

The gunman who shot in the air outside the US Embassy in Ankara tonight has been pictured. Credit: Anadolu Agency pic.twitter.com/DJNqPeMrqb

— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) December 20, 2016

FOOTAGE: Police arrest the gunman outside the US Embassy in Ankara. He swears and says “don’t play with us” pic.twitter.com/ZmFzYR2kq0

— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) December 20, 2016

The embassy was placed on lockdown, but it was lifted after the man’s arrest.

“U.S. Embassy Ankara advises U.S. citizens that the immediate security incident … is over, but police activity continues,” the embassy wrote in a statement that went on to advise in boldface: “we recommend you avoid the area at least until Tuesday morning.”

I’d just avoid the area altogether. I like to play it safe. No traveling in that area right now. It’s too dangerous.