An armed 54-year-old man was arrested by security forces inside a Moscow fitness club after waving a pistol and sparking panic among staff and gymgoers.
The city press service for Rosgvardia, the Russian National Guard, reported the incident to news outlet Lenta.ru after a non-departmental security patrol was dispatched to the scene.
Officers on routine patrol received an urgent alert regarding reported sounds of gunfire coming from a protected commercial site located at Vorontsovskiye Ponds in the capital.
Upon arrival at the sports complex, law enforcement officers were met by the fitness club administrator, who reported that an unidentified man was causing a major disturbance while visibly intoxicated.
According to the administrator's account to police, the suspect was shouting loudly, uttering profane language, and waving a pistol inside the building, leaving staff members and visitors frightened and panicked.
Responding officers inspected the premises and established that initial reports claiming shots had been fired inside the facility were not confirmed.
Seizure of loaded firearm
An investigative and operational team dispatched to the scene subsequently confiscated a combat pistol from the 54-year-old detainee.
Law enforcement officers confirmed that the weapon was fitted with a magazine fully loaded with 15 live rounds of ammunition.
Authorities stated that the suspect did not possess any valid permit, registration, or licensing documentation authorizing him to carry the firearm.
Following his detention at the sports center, the man was escorted to a local police department, where officers opened an investigation to clarify all circumstances surrounding the event.
Background on Rosgvardia and location
Rosgvardia, formally known as the National Guard of the Russian Federation, is an independent federal executive body responsible for state security, riot control, guarding key infrastructure, and regulating civilian firearm possession.
Its non-departmental security branch provides contracted physical protection and rapid response alarm monitoring for private businesses, administrative institutions, and commercial venues across Moscow.
Vorontsovskiye Ponds is a well-known park complex and residential microdistrict in southwestern Moscow, constructed around a chain of historic artificial ponds and surrounded by modern residential buildings and private commercial centers.
