A teenager (pictured), named by the media as Iskander Khalfin held his class up with a gun and a knife
A 17-year-old student armed with a gun and kitchen knife held a class and teachers hostage today in Russia.
Unconfirmed reports said he shot at one teacher but missed during the siege at a school in the city of Kazan.
A female literature teacher negotiated with him to let ten students leave and later Russian special services and police persuaded the teenager - named by the media here as Iskander Khalfin - to lay down his gun and surrender.
Girls were crying as he held them hostage, according to reports.
One teacher - believed to be in her 60s - was later rushed to hospital reportedly suffering from heart problems.
One account of the attack - which came during a literature lesson - was that it was motivated by the gunman's unrequited love for a girl in the school.
The girl had told him he was a 'coward' and incapable of a 'bold act', reports said.
Writing in his text book was said to indicate he was in love.
A female student at School Number 7 in Kazan told Life news outlet: 'He did not come for the first two classes of the day, only the third.
'He took his place and took out the gun.
'He told the teacher to go to the blackboard at the back of the class.
The shocking incident at School Number 7 in Kazan, southwest Russia, reportedly saw the boy shoot at a teacher but miss
The 17-year-old's text book was said to have writing (pictured) that indicate he was in love
'Then he agreed that there were too many people in the classroom and agreed to let ten people.
'And my friend managed to escape then.'
According to police he did not make any demands.
Reports said two other teachers and 27 students were in the classroom during the siege.
Student Anna, who
