BREAKING NEWS: At the coronation of Queen Katherina I of Auria this morning, a gunman opened fire from a nearby apartment window. While security quickly evacuated the Royal Boxes, Queen Dowager Sophie was struck in the neck by a bullet. She was quickly rushed to Queen Maria’s Memorial Medical Center, where trauma surgeons attempted to repair a severed jugular vein. Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead within minutes of arriving at the hospital.
The Royal Palace was immediately placed on lockdown, with both Aurian and visiting officials being ushered into secure panic rooms. According to Lumiere Municipal Police, Palace Guards were able to shoot and kill the assassin through the apartment window, preventing further casualties. However, law enforcement is not releasing the name of the shooter, nor any potential motivation for this crime.
The Royal Household released a statement this afternoon via social media. “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Queen Dowager Sophie the First, beloved mother of four and leader of Auria. When all hope for our country was gone, she persevered, proving to be one of the strongest leaders that our nation has ever seen. If not for her, the City of Lights would have burned out. She will be buried alongside her dear husband Nicolas in the Royal Mausoleum. We ask for Aurians to remain calm and vigilant in this trying time.”
The United Aurian Press will continue to broadcast information as this story develops
