Abdulgadir Masharipov
The attacker, who slaughtered dozens at a nightclub in Istanbul on New Year’s eve, was caught during a special operation in Esenyurt, Turkish media are reporting.
The Uzbek attacker, Abdulgadir Masharipov, was captured by Turkish security forces late Monday at his friend’s house in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul, Daily Sabah reports.
The assailant, who has been on the run since the Reina nightclub attack on December 31, was reportedly transferred to Istanbul Police headquarters.
After Masharipov fled the scene of the New Year’s eve massacre, the terrorist initially hid in a safe house, where his wife and children joined him. The attacker then took his 4-year-old son and went on the run.
The boy was alongside the shooter when security forces arrested him on Monday evening, Sondakika reports.
Masharipov resisted arrest, local media report, sharing a photo of the suspected attacker with bruises on his face.
Earlier this month, Turkish police released the identity of the alleged Reina shooter announcing that Masharipov is of Uzbek origin and is known in terrorist circles as “Abu Muhammed Horasani.”
Authorities believe that he is the person responsible for slaughtering 39 people and wounding 65 others in Istanbul during New Year’s eve celebrations.
A massive manhunt has been ongoing in Turkey ever since the shooter fled the scene after firing over 180 bullets at innocent people at the Reina night club.
Most of the victims were foreigners while 11 were Turkish citizens. During the manhunt, Turkish anti-terror forces reportedly detained at least 35 suspects allegedly related to the attack.
T.com