Overview of the information on incident in Ministry of Defence 11.08.2011

12.08.2011

Yesterday at 15.08, a police officer on duty received information that an unknown male had made his way into the Ministry of Defence holding a pistol, which he was firing. It was the gunman’s personal weapon for which he did have a permit. The individual also used homemade explosive devices that created smoke and loud noises but did not injure people or cause any damage to the structure of the building.

Hostages were not taken during the incident, although two people who had been in the Ministry of Defence were briefly in the hands of the perpetrator. These two individuals were members of the Defence League. According to current information, the Defence League members were held by the perpetrator for less than half an hour. The offender did not make any verbal demands or issue demands using any other means. The individual spoke in Russian.

The Security Police negotiators attempted to contact the shooter on the scene, but the attempt failed. Many other units of the Security Police and the police force were also present. Since the Ministry of Defence personnel had already been evacuated and were out of harm’s way, it was paramount that the greatest possible security be ensured for the police officers during the operation. 

The shooter spent close to two hours alone in a separate room in the administrative area on the first floor of the ministry. The individual did not enter the high-security part of the ministry. The office in the administrative area is also where the exchange of gunfire took place between the special units and the offender. Preliminary information that suggested that the perpetrator took his own life is false. The man was killed at about 17.25 in a firefight with police officers; he had many bullet wounds. Medics on site immediately began attempts to resuscitate Karen Drambjan, but their attempts were unsuccessful.

During the incident one police officer suffered from a minor injury and another was struck in his bullet-proof vest but was not injured. No other individuals suffered any injuries.

The shooter acted alone and there is no cause to believe that he had accomplices. His motives will be uncovered (to whatever extent possible) through the criminal proceedings that have been started.

According to preliminary information, three homemade explosive devices were found that had not been detonated; they were rendered harmless. A total of over 10 homemade explosive devices and packets were detonated at the scene. Two bomb robots were damaged.

Criminal proceedings were initiated on the basis of paragraphs 136, 120, 415, 114, and 25 of the Penal Code, which the deprivation of liberty without legal grounds, threats, the illegal use of explosive devices, and attempted murder.

BACKGROUND OF INDIVIDUAL:
The perpetrator was identified as citizen of the Republic of Estonia Karen Drambjan, age 57. He was born in Armenia in 1954. He acquired Estonian citizenship in 1993. He had come into contact with the police in the past, but he had no record of criminal convictions.

The man was not associated with the Defence Forces or the Ministry of Defence.

TIMELINE:

15.08 - Police officer on duty received information that an unknown male had made his way into the Ministry of Defence holding a pistol, which he was firing. The individual also used explosive packets that created smoke and loud noises but did not injure people or cause any damage to the structure of the building.

15.10 – Police arrive at the scene.

15.11 – Message sent to Ministry of Defence personnel to lock their doors and remain in their offices.

15.30 – Evacuation of Ministry of Defence personnel begins in accordance with the training exercise that took place in the fall of 2010.

15.40 – Arrival of the Security Police, who begin criminal proceedings.

15.40 – Ministry of Defence personnel are evacuated to the Estonia Theatre; the area around the building and around the NO Theatre are cordoned off.

15.45 – Special police units enter the Ministry of Defence building.

15.50 – North-Estonian Regional Rescue Centre confirms that bomb squad has been dispatched.

16.00 – Two rescue teams, a bomb squad, the police, and personnel from the Rescue Service and Security Police are present. The police widen the secured area by 10-15 meters. 

16.38 – Bomb robot enters the building.

16.44 – Specially outfitted police officers enter the building.

17.25 – The individual is killed in the exchange of gunfire.

17.30 – Armed police officers enter the building.

Kadri Tammai
Director of public relations
Prosecutor's Office
kadri.tammai@prokuratuur.ee
+3726139415
+37253413794