WASHINGTON, D.C. Dec. 19 (DPI) – Within minutes of today’s assassination of the Russian ambassador to Turkey, stunningly powerful, Hollywood-quality images of the event ricocheted around the world. Everything about those images, which remained at the top of major news sites all day, seemed to confirm that the digital age – with its ubiquitous devices and instant connectivity – can now deliver real-time news with production values never seen before.

Perhaps, of course, it was simply the unique circumstances of this incident  – at a public event, in a well lighted, white-background gallery of contemporary art, with the black-suited shooter in theatrical pose over the surprisingly bloodless body of Andrey Karlov.

The image below was reportedly taken by a staff photographer of The Associated Press.

Whatever the case, the instant images all reconfirmed today for everyone – or at least for readers on comment boards – that we are far, far removed from the grainy Zapruder film of JFK’s assassination 53 years ago.

Among top recommended comments on NYTimes.com today: “Whoever shot these photos is going to be a very famous photographer. This act is terrible, but these photos are amazing. The gravity of the moment, the terror, it is captured.”

And another most popular comment: “I disagree with those who say this picture shouldn’t be published. It is a brilliant photograph and it is a legitimate news story of the day. The real crime is not showing just how real the pain and violence in our world is. Don’t look if you can’t stand it, but the press needs to do its job.”

The assailant, reportedly a 22-year-old off-duty policeman, shot up to eight bullets into the 62-year-old Russian ambassador. The shooter was killed in a shootout with a police swat team moments later.

Of course, the political consequences from such events are still emerging, but many readers couldn’t resist recommending this comment: “This really has an Archduke Franz Ferdinand feel to it.”