Moscow resident Denis Bychkov, 41, saved his wife and son from gunfire by covering them with his back during the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow, Russian media reported.
"Mom said they were just sitting around discussing how musicians aren't punctual. Then, she says, they heard fireworks, but dad realized it was gunfire. They quickly climbed over the wooden fence, they fell down, dad covered them. Then mom somehow got out, she doesn't remember anything, she woke up already in the hospital. Since then we have been looking for dad," Alexander, the son of the missing man, told the media.
According to Alexander, his mother does not remember much about the terrorist attack itself, but the woman says she did not see her husband bleeding and hopes he was not injured.
Relatives are calling the hotline to try to get any information about Denis' fate.
Alexander’s 12-year-old brother is now reportedly in intensive care in serious condition.
A Sputnik correspondent who witnessed the attack said that at least three men in camouflage broke into the music hall, started shooting people point-blank and throwing incendiary bombs.
Eleven people were detained in connection with the attack, including four who were directly involved, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said.
One of the terrorist suspects detained said he shot people at the concert venue for money. At first, the man stated he was promised 500,000 rubles ($5,400), but only half of the promised amount had been transferred to his card. However, later, the suspect said he had been promised about 1 million rubles ($10,830).
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the events "bloody and barbaric" terrorist attack and declared March 24 a day of nationwide mourning for the victims.