Four men were detained by police on June 12th after witnesses reported them shooting an air rifle at cans near Middle Suzdal Lake in the Vyborgsky district of St. Petersburg. The incident occurred in the afternoon and prompted a police investigation.

Responding to a report of shots fired received around 12:40 PM, a police patrol discovered the group of men engaged in target practice with an air rifle. The men, who appeared to have been drinking prior to the incident, were taken to the police station for questioning.

One of the men, a 42-year-old from Malino in the Moscow region, has a prior conviction for robbery and a history of administrative offenses including public intoxication and assault. Two others are believed to be relatives, a 42-year-old and a 44-year-old resident of Leningrad; the elder one has a conviction for alimony evasion. The last man, a 42-year-old resident of St. Petersburg, has prior administrative charges for public intoxication and passport damage or loss.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation by the police.