Horrifying moment masked gunmen storm church and open fire – leaving one dead during Sunday service in Istanbul

THIS is the horrifying moment masked gunmen stormed a church and opened fire – leaving one dead with a bullet to the head. The two thugs were caught on CCTV stalking through a garage before opening fire at unsuspecting church-goers attending a Sunday service around 11.40am this morning in Turkey. The two gunmen were caught on CCTV walking through a garage calmly with their hands hidden before the attack Security footage from inside the church shows people attending the Sunday service Just moments later, everyone immediately drops to their knees after a gunshot was fired by the masked men at the back of the room AFPEmergency services cram the streets near the church attack[/caption] The horror attack took place at the Italian-run Santa Maria Church in Istanbul, Turkish officials have said. The attackers stormed the building in black ski masks, unleashing bullets as attendees threw themselves to the ground. One man died after he was shot in the head and more were injured. The deceased individual has been identified as Tuncer Cihan, a 52-year-old Turkish citizen, whose death was confirmed by his nephew. Footage shared on X/Twitter by 23 Degrees shows the masked shooters walking through a car park on CCTV before the rampage. The pair walk calmly with their hands in their pockets in the eerie footage – as one checks the garage behind them. Local officials said around 40 people attended the mass but suggested the total amount of casualties could have been higher. “After the second shot, the gun didn’t work, then they [attackers] ran,” Sariyer district’s mayor Sukru Genc told reporters. “At this moment, everyone lied on the floor. There were around 35 to 40 people inside.” Genc also noted that among the attendees was Polish Consul General Witold Lesniak and his family, who were all unharmed in the attack. Turkish outlet T24 initially reported that the gunmen had escaped but counter-terrorism soon confirmed one man had been arrested in connection with the attack. On Sunday night, Turkish minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed on X/Twitter that the two murder suspects were caught. “I congratulate our Istanbul Police and heroic police officers who identified and caught the perpetrators,” he said. Mr Yerlikaya had previously confirmed that a large-scale investigation was underway following the attack. He wrote: “Today, around 11.40, during the service at the Santa Maria Church in Sarıyer Büyükdere District, he was attacked with a gun by 2 people wearing masks and unfortunately he lost his life. “A large-scale investigation into the issue and efforts to catch the attackers have been initiated. “We strongly condemn this vile attack.” Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu also wrote: “We will never allow those who try to destroy our unity and peace by attacking the religious places of our city”. It is not yet clear why the gunmen opened fire at the church or whether they are associated with a particular group. However, Turkish officials said it looked like a targeted attack by the two gunmen against Tuncer, rather than against the Catholic church itself. But the victims nephew, who identified his body, told the Associated Press that the target was the church, as his uncle had “no connection to politics or (criminal) organisations”. He added that his uncle had been invited to attend the church “and was a victim of fate”. The church is run by an Italian order of Franciscan friars. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that his ministry was following the situation along with the Italian Embassy in Turkey’s capital, Ankara, and the consulate in Istanbul. “I express my condolence and firm condemnation for the vile attack on Santa Maria Church,” Tajani tweeted. “I am certain that the Turkish authorities will arrest those responsible.” Turkish authorities have instituted a media ban on coverage of the attack. It’s not the first shooting to take place at a religious building in Istanbul. In 2017, a gunman opened fire inside an Istanbul mosque just hours after a horror mass shooting in a nightclub also in the city. Two people were injured and rushed to hospital after the man opened fire with a rifle when people were gathering at north Istanbul’s Hasan Pasha Mosque for prayer. The shooting came after a terrorist dressed as Santa gunned down New Year’s Eve revellers at the Reina nightclub in the city. The attacker — who may have had an accomplice —  shot and killed a police officer outside the venue before forcing his way inside to go on his bloody rampage. Around 600 people had been inside the club at the time of the attack on January 1, 2017. The Islamic State later claimed responsibility for the ambush which killed 39 people and injured 79 others. AFPWorried onlookers and press gather outside the church following the ambush[/caption] EPATurkish police forces cordon off the site next to the Santa Maria Church[/caption] One of the masked gunmen checks behind him as they walk through the garage ReutersPolice forensic experts examine the area near the Italian Santa Maria Catholic Church[/caption] Santa Maria Church in Istanbul where the attack took place Worried onlookers crowd around the entrance of the church