Moscow: At least two killed in 'terror' shooting at security headquarters
Russia's Federal Security Service says attacker dead, confirms death of its officer
At least two people, including a Federal Security Service (FSB) officer and the attacker, were shot dead in Moscow on Thursday in a suspected terror attack on the FSB headquarters.
The initial reports offered contradictory casualty counts, with agencies quoting the FSB press service as saying that three gunmen took part in the attack, two of them killed inside the building.
However, minutes after that, the FSB apparently walked back on the statement, saying there was only one attacker and confirming the death of the officer.
The incident is being investigated as a terror attack, the FSB said in a statement.
The security service also denied the reports that the attacker entered the building, which were circulated earlier.
According to Russia's Healthcare Ministry, five people are being treated for injuries in the wake of the shooting.
The incident followed a keynote annual press-conference by the country's President Putin, a marathon PR exercise broadcast live on TV and online.
It also came on the eve of a symbolic date for the FSB, as December 20 is celebrated in Russia as a State Security Officer's day, a professional holiday for the service.