Armed assailants entered the Armenian Parliament during a session, igniting chaos and terror as they opened fire indiscriminately. The attack led to the tragic deaths of Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan, along with seven other prominent officials, including parliamentarians and security personnel. The assailants, who were described as members of a radical nationalist group, confronted the lawmakers in the chamber, taking the legislators hostage. While the situation escalated rapidly, police and security forces responded, ultimately leading to the elimination of the gunmen but not before the fatalities occurred.

This violent incident rattled the nation and underscored the fragile political situation in Armenia at the time. Political corruption, economic instability, and disillusionment with government reforms were rampant, and this infiltration of parliamentary proceedings was seen as a stark manifestation of those issues. The aftermath involved not only immediate security concerns but also a deeper reflection on the political environment, which had been deteriorating since Armenia gained independence from the Soviet Union.

In the wake of the attack, Armenia was plunged into political turmoil, with civil society demanding reforms and accountability. The killing of Sargsyan, who was a significant figure in Armenian politics and a key architect of the country's independence, was particularly influential. It created a power vacuum and led to a restructuring of the government, as various factions vied for control amidst the chaos. This marked a pivotal turn in Armenian politics, leading towards future instability and conflict both within and outside the parliamentary settings.