Today is Friday, January 1st, 2021.

On this day in 2017, an Islamic terrorist named Abdul Qadir Meshirepav opened fire on a Turkish nightclub.

His attack killed 39 and wounded upwards of 70 people.

Welcome to Today in True Crime, a Spotify original from Parcast. Today we're discussing a devastating

terror attack that took place in Turkey on New Year's Day in 2017.

Now let's go back to just after midnight on January 1st, inside the Raina Nightclub in Istanbul.

Over 600 people crowded into the club on the banks of the Bosporus River, all of them celebrating the New Year.

Most were locals, but a good number of people were tourists on vacation,

looking to experience everything

Istanbul's nightlife had to offer.

The outdoor terraced levels of the building were packed as revelers danced and drank the night

away under one of the most impressive backdrops in Istanbul. But most were too caught up in the moment to notice the scenery.

They lived in the moment, celebrating the beauty that they hoped would extend throughout the next year.

2016 had been a trying time for the world, especially for Turkish citizens.

On June 28, terrorists attacked the

International Airport in Istanbul, killing 44 and rocking the country to its core. Then on July 15th,

several military officers attempted a coup of President Erdogan, resulting in the deaths of hundreds

and the arrests of many more.

Finally, on December 10th, Islamic extremists detonated a car bomb just outside of a football

stadium, killing almost 40.

No doubt, those at the club that night were hoping that 2017 would bring a more promising, peaceful future.

But it wasn't to be. At 1.15 a.m., a foreign national named Abdul Qadir Meshirapov ran down the street to the club

...