Kyiv janitor dies after shielding 10-year-old during shooting

A municipal worker in Kyiv, Oleksandr Hryhorovych, has died after shielding a wounded 10-year-old child during a shooting on April 18, according to Ukrainian outlet Strana.ua.

The man succumbed to his injuries in intensive care after attempting to protect the child during the attack, in which a gunman opened fire on passersby before entering a supermarket and taking staff and customers hostage. The attacker was later killed during his detention after offering resistance.

According to the report, Hryhorovych covered the injured child during the shooting. The outlet also claimed that police officers left the scene while the attack was ongoing.

Videos circulating online allegedly show two officers departing the area, leaving civilians without protection. Following the incident, a criminal case was opened against them on charges of official negligence.

On April 21, a Kyiv court ordered pre-trial detention for one of the officers, with the option of bail. A similar measure had earlier been imposed on the second officer.

On April 18, an armed man opened fire on people in Kyiv and then took hostages in a local supermarket. Seven citizens became victims of the shooter. Another 14 people, including minors, were injured.

The attacker's identity was established. He turned out to be 57-year-old Dmytro Vasylchenkov. The man had previously been prosecuted: he inflicted minor bodily harm on a person. Vasylchenkov was eliminated during the storming of the supermarket and the liberation of the hostages.

After Oleksandr Hryhorovych's death, he left behind a pet – a cat that the man had cared for. Now the neighbours are looking for a new home for the animal.

By Tamilla Hasanova