A man dressed as Father Frost fatally shot a store owner after taking a selfie with him
A man dressed as Russia’s version of Santa Claus fatally shot a store owner after taking a selfie with him in a town in central Russia on Thursday, according to the local authorities. The incident in the town of Kanash in the Chuvashia Republic was caught on camera.
According to unverified footage that emerged online, the alleged assailant, who was wearing a Father Frost costume, white felt boots, and glasses, entered the store with a shotgun hidden under his coat.
Появилось видео расстрела чувашского бизнесмена Дедом Морозом
— SVTV NEWS (@svtv_news) January 3, 2025
Преступление произошло в одном из магазинов Канаша 2 января. Туда зашёл вооружённый двустволкой мужчина в костюме Деда Мороза. Побеседовав с владельцем и сняв совместное фото, он выстрелил в предпринимателя из ружья.… https://t.co/7U0nSESHcy pic.twitter.com/p5IwHYiDuB
He took a selfie with the 54-year-old shop owner, engaged him in conversation, and then shot him at close range.
The victim died on the spot, while the suspect fled the scene. According to the press service of the Investigative Committee for Chuvashia, the alleged killer was detained on Friday morning outside his home in a nearby village.
According to investigators, the motive behind the murder was a dispute over a debt owed by the victim to the suspect.
Chuvashia is located in central Russia along the Volga, Europe’s longest river.
READ MORE: Santa Claus a ‘fictional character’ – senior Russian Muslim cleric
This is not the first time criminals have worn Santa outfits while breaking the law. In December, a man was arrested in Tatarstan for luring children with candies, leading to charges of sexual assault.
Last January, a 17-year-old in the Siberian city of Norilsk assaulted a passerby while dressed as Santa Claus.
