The US Embassy in Ankara has closed its operations for 24 hours, just hours after the Russian ambassador to Turkey was killed.

“U.S. Embassy in Ankara and Consulates Istanbul and Adana closed for normal operations today. Visa appointments will be rescheduled,” The Embassy of the United States of America in Ankara tweeted.

The Department of State confirmed reports on shooting of the Russian ambassador near the U.S. Embassy in Ankara.

President Barack Obama’s administration, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, and Secretary of State John Kerry have condemned the murder of the Russian ambassador.

On Monday evening, a gunman attacked Russian envoy to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, while the latter was giving a speech at a photo exhibition dedicated to Kamchatka at Çağdaş Sanat Merkezi Contemporary Arts Center of Ankara.

The gunman shot the ambassador in the back, following which he uttered words related to Aleppo and Syria as well as shouted “Allahu akbar (God is great).”

Karlov was rushed to hospital in critical condition, but he could not be saved. 

The assailant, who was shot dead by police 45 minutes after the assault, was later identified as Ankara police officer Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş.