A tragic case of mistaken identity has led to the death of a teenager in remote Siberia. Ruslan Gaus, 17, was shot dead by a group of hunters who allegedly mistook him for a roe deer.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred near the village of Mezhdurino in Russia's Kemerovo region. According to authorities, the hunting party consisted of two businessmen and a football coach, who had been drinking before the incident.
Investigators report that Ruslan and another teenager were riding mopeds when they heard an approaching vehicle. Believing it to be police, they left the road and hid in nearby bushes. Moments later, one of the hunters allegedly spotted a silhouette through a thermal imaging sight and fired a shot, killing the teenager.
Suspects and Investigation
The three men reportedly fled the scene but later surrendered to police. Russian authorities have launched a murder investigation, stating that detectives have identified the three men allegedly involved. "The involvement in the murder of three men has been established, one of whom, while hunting, deliberately fired a shot in the direction of the victim," investigators said.
Victim's Girlfriend Seeks Justice
Ruslan's devastated girlfriend, Violetta Parushkina, demanded justice after the killing. "A tragedy struck my family during the night — my boyfriend, Ruslan Gaus, was shot dead," she wrote on social media. "Law enforcement officers detained those responsible within 24 hours."
Violetta called for those responsible to receive the maximum punishment available under the law. "I want to make this public so that those responsible receive the full punishment to the fullest extent of the law," she said.
Ongoing Case
The three men remain under investigation as authorities continue to gather evidence. The case has drawn attention to the dangers of hunting under the influence and the use of thermal imaging equipment.
