GETTY Andrei Karlov was shot dead on Monday afternoon by a gunman

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According to unconfirmed reports, a man’s body, believed to be one of the department heads within Russia's foreign ministry, was found dead early this morning. Two shells were allegedly found alongside a gun under the kitchen sink.

The wife of the man, who has not been named, is said to have been at the apartment. The Kremlin has not confirmed or denied the reports. Meanwhile speculation abounds over whether the alleged incident could have been murder or suicide. The shocking news comes after Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, was gunned down at an art gallery in the capital, Ankara. Footage from the incident shows a gunman, in a suit, pointing his gun at the crowd and shouting “Allah Akbar” before adding, “You Russians destroyed Aleppo and Syria”.

GETTY Karlov's body shortly after he was gunned down

The gunman then fatally shoots Mr Karlov, who had been delivering a speech, in the back five times. The 22-year-old gunman was then shot down at the scene. Vladimir Putin responded to Karlov's death and said it was “clearly a provocation” and vowed to make those responsible “feel the heat”. He said: “This murder is clearly a provocation aimed at undermining the improvement and normalisation of Russian-Turkish relations as well as undermining the peace process in Syria promoted by Russia, Turkey, Iran and other countries interested in solving this conflict in Syria.

ASSASSINATED: Andrei Karlov, Russia's ambassador to Turkey shot dead Mon, December 19, 2016 Andrei Karlov, Russia's ambassador to Turkey has been shot dead while visiting an art exhibition in the capital, Ankara Play slideshow PA 1 of 16 Photograph of Andrei Karlov

AHABER.COM Karlov's killer was police officer Mevlut Mert Altintas