MOSCOW, April 23 (RAPSI) - Police have detained on Tuesday the man suspected of shooting six people dead in the city of Belgorod in southwest Russia, the Interior Ministry said.

“The suspect was detained as he tried to flee the cordoned-off area on a cargo train,” a ministry spokesman told RIA Novosti.

Belgorod is located not far from Russia-Ukrainian border, and security was tightened earlier as the manhunt was in progress.

Six people died and one was wounded in a shootout in Belgorod on Monday. A 14-year-old girl was among the dead, five of whom died at the scene of the attack. A sixth victim died shortly after in hospital.

The suspect, Sergei Pomazun, 31, has a long criminal record, including a four-year sentence for theft and for attacking a policeman. The reasons for the crime are unclear. According to earlier reports, the shootout took place during an armed assault at the gun store.

Pomazun was detained by four police officers who were patrolling the area adjacent to the Belgorod railway station. One of them sustained knife wounds during the detention. He has been taken to hospital and operated on, his current condition is unknown. The suspect sustained no injuries.

Yelena Kozyreva, a spokeswoman for the region’s Investigative Committee department, said Pomazun “has already started to give testimony.” She added that he will undergo psychiatric examination soon.

A two-day period of mourning was declared in Belgorod on Tuesday. Funeral ceremonies for the victims will be held on Wednesday.