A wave of fear swept through central Athens on Tuesday as an 89-year-old man allegedly unleashed a barrage of gunfire upon two government buildings, leaving at least four people injured. The brazen attacks unfolded with chilling speed, plunging the heart of the Greek capital into chaos and prompting a massive manhunt.
The first incident occurred at a social security office, where the suspect reportedly entered and immediately began firing, wounding an employee. As police raced to the scene to provide aid, the gunman calmly fled, disappearing into the bustling city streets – a scene captured by a nearby security camera showing a man casually walking with a short-barrelled shotgun.
The suspect’s rampage continued at a courthouse in another part of Athens, where he opened fire on the ground floor, wounding several more individuals. Paramedics swiftly transported at least three people from the courthouse to waiting ambulances, their faces etched with shock and pain.
Initial reports indicated that three female court employees sustained minor injuries from ricocheting pellets. A fourth woman was also hospitalized, though not with physical wounds, after experiencing distress during the ordeal. The recovered shotgun became a crucial piece of evidence in the unfolding investigation.
Witnesses described a scene of sudden terror. According to Alexandros Varveris, head of the National Social Security Fund, the gunman ascended to the fourth floor of their offices, deliberately firing after warning one employee to take cover. Remarkably, he didn’t appear to specifically target the individual he ultimately struck.
The suspect, concealed beneath a trench coat, had initially hidden his weapon before unleashing the attack. Varveris recounted the chilling moment the gunman raised his shotgun, issuing a stark warning before firing upon an unsuspecting worker.
The motive behind these shocking acts of violence remains shrouded in mystery. However, authorities discovered envelopes containing documents and a potential explanation for the gunman’s actions left at the courthouse following the second shooting.
Police apprehended the aging suspect near the city of Patra, approximately 210 kilometers west of Athens, bringing an end to the tense manhunt. The investigation is now focused on deciphering the contents of the recovered documents and uncovering the full story behind this disturbing event.
