Police arrested Mariinsky Theatre opera singer Grigor Verner and sent him to a mental health facility. Officers caught the performer around 11 PM on June 14 near Olgino district. Russian Interior Ministry spokesperson Irina Volk confirmed the detention details. Verner had been acting strangely for several days before his arrest. He carried weapons and scared people throughout the city.
The singer threatened a taxi driver with a gun on June 13. He attacked a security guard at Theater on Liteiny the same day. Verner also destroyed a TV channel 78 news crew vehicle during his rampage. Police say he walked around with both a gun and knife. Local residents reported feeling unsafe because of his threatening behavior.
Verner joined the Mariinsky Academy of Young Opera Singers back in 2010. He has worked as a guest performer at the North Ossetia branch since 2018. The theatre has not commented about the incident. Mental health professionals will evaluate the artist at the hospital.
The singer threatened a taxi driver with a gun on June 13. He attacked a security guard at Theater on Liteiny the same day. Verner also destroyed a TV channel 78 news crew vehicle during his rampage. Police say he walked around with both a gun and knife. Local residents reported feeling unsafe because of his threatening behavior.
Verner joined the Mariinsky Academy of Young Opera Singers back in 2010. He has worked as a guest performer at the North Ossetia branch since 2018. The theatre has not commented about the incident. Mental health professionals will evaluate the artist at the hospital.
