An assailant shot dead six people in the Russian city of Belgorod on Monday afternoon, opening "random fire" on innocent people.

      The suspected assailant, named by police as 31-year-old Sergei Pomazun, opened fire at random victims with a rifle in a hunting store, then moved onto the streets in the center of Belgorod and continued the shooting. He later fled in the same vehicle in which he had arrived at the scene.

      As a result, three adult men were killed in the store and three more people were killed in front of it, including two girls, 14 and 16-year-old.

      Pomazun's car was later found by police, who said the suspect already has a criminal record. He may be armed with two hunting rifles or have even more ammo.

      Russian police posted a reward of at least 3 million rubles ($95,000) for information leading to the arrest of the man. Special police forces and investigators from the neighboring Kursk and Voronezh Regions have headed to the Belgorod Region to join the massive manhunt.

      Shocked residents in the city of some 356,402 people have brought flowers, toys and candles to the crime scene. Belgorod officials have announced two days of mourning.