An ordinary boy who worked part-time in the cashier's room at Crocus City Hall escorted more than 100 people out of the building during the terrorist attack. As to 15-year-old Islam Khalilov, he was just doing his job. The young hero said that all administrators had been given instructions in case of an emergency, and all he did was follow the instructions.

During the attack and the ensuing fire, Islam led the people. When he noticed a crowd running down the dead-end street towards the toilets, the teenager took matters into his own hands and began directing the evacuation. He managed to take people out of the narrow passageway into the Expo area and then through the service area to the street - where it was safe.