Greek pensioner, 89, arrested in connection with multiple shootings

Athens Double Shooting Suspect Arrested: Police Detain 89-Year-Old Man

Greek authorities have apprehended an 89-year-old man in connection with a double shooting in Athens that left five people injured. The suspect was taken into custody on Tuesday in the city of Patra, approximately 200 kilometers west of the capital.

According to reports, the suspect allegedly initiated the shooting incident by firing inside a social security agency in the Kerameikos district of central Athens. An employee of the state pension organization EFKA reportedly suffered a leg injury after being struck by a shot fired by the attacker. The suspect was wearing a trench coat under which he concealed a shotgun.

The suspect then traveled to a nearby court in Ambelokipi, where four people were injured. Initial information suggests that the man fired at an office floor inside the court building. After opening fire, the suspect allegedly threw envelopes containing documents on the floor, claiming they explained his actions. The attacker fled the scene, leaving behind a shotgun.

The suspect was later arrested in a hotel, where a second weapon was discovered. Local media identified the suspect as a rubbish collector from the Athens area. According to AFP news agency, the suspect had previously been treated for psychological issues at a mental hospital in 2018.

Gun violence in Greece is rare, with firearm ownership permitted but tightly regulated. The incident has prompted an announcement of a 24-hour strike by Athens court staff, who are protesting the poor security measures at court buildings.

Source: Al Jazeera