Gasan Magomedov Shot Dead In Dagestan In Drive-By Shooting; Anzhi Makhachkala Issues Statement

Russian soccer player Gasan Magomedov was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting near his home in the North Caucasus, the Associated Press reported Sunday. The club Anzhi Makhachkala athlete was driving home when machine-gun fire hit him. He died in an ambulance en route to a hospital.

Anzhi Makhachkala offered sympathy to Magomedov’s family. “One thing can be said with confidence: Magomedov could not have provoked anything like this in any way,” Anzhi said. The athlete, 20, was a midfielder for the club's youth and reserve teams. He was to turn 21 in less than two weeks, NBC sports added.

“Our deepest condolences go out to Gasan’s family,” said Anzhi General Director Sergi Korbalev through the club statement, according to NBC Sports. “I hope the law enforcement members will quickly identify the murderers, who will receive just punishment. Despite their efforts to destabilize the club, we’ll keep on living and working for the only purpose -- a peaceful Dagestan! In memory of Gasan.”

There are no suspects in custody and no motive has yet been determined, the BBC reported. No one else was reported injured in the attack.

The region of Dagestan where Magomedov lived is no stranger to violence, the U.K.’s Daily Mail wrote. The area is a hotbed of Islamic militant activity, and as many as 300 Dagestanis are fighting for ISIS.

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