The Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov was shot while attending the opening of an art gallery exhibition in the capitol. Watch the chilling video from the scene above. Karlov is in critical condition at a Turkish hospital.



The man, reported to be a police officer (or posing as one), fired at the ambassador and shouted "Allahu Akbar," repeatedly.



Relations between Moscow and Ankara worsened in November 2015 after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter plane near the Syrian border, but have recently become warmer.



AP reports:





ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- A gunman opened fire on Russia's ambassador to Turkey at a photo exhibition on Monday. The Russian foreign ministry confirmed he was shot, but did not immediately say anything about his condition.



Turkish police shot and killed the gunman, Turkish station NTV reported.



The ambassador, Andrei Karlov, was several minutes into a speech at the embassy-sponsored exhibition in the capital, Ankara, when a man wearing a suit and tie shouted "Allahu Akbar" and fired at least eight shots, according to an AP photographer in the audience. The attacker also said some words in Russian and smashed several of the photos hung for the exhibition. There was panic as people ran for cover. NTV said three other people were wounded in the attack.



Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Karlov was shot "when an unidentified assailant opened chaotic gunfire during a public event in Ankara." She said Russia was in contact with Turkish officials about the incident.



U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said U.S. officials were aware of reports about the shooting.



"We condemn this act of violence, whatever its source," Kirby said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

