Shocking scenes unfolded on Wednesday night in Kallithea, a suburb in southern Athens, where a 15-year-old boy lost his life following a bloody clash between groups of minors in the area of Agia Eleousa Square. A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with the case and, according to police, admitted to fatally injuring the minor.
According to initial findings of the investigation, shortly after 11:30 p.m., the 15-year-old—who lived in the northern suburbs of Athens—was at the square with five other youths at the junction of Megalopoleos and Kremou streets. Another group arrived at the scene, and a heated verbal confrontation quickly broke out.
Police estimates suggest the tension escalated further when the group of the 15-year-old called in additional individuals. Shortly afterward, five more young people arrived by car, and the confrontation turned into a large-scale brawl. Investigators report that not only punches and kicks were used, but also sharp objects, screwdrivers, and wooden sticks.
The incident did not remain confined to the square. Witnesses described a chase through surrounding streets, with the 15-year-old running along Megalopoleos Street while being pursued and attacked by members of the rival group.
The clash ended approximately 80 meters from the original location, outside the entrance of an apartment building. There, according to the confession of the 17-year-old suspect, the fatal stab wound to the chest of the teenager was inflicted. The injured 15-year-old collapsed on the pavement, while those involved fled the scene through nearby side streets.
The investigation and arrests
Police mapped the movements of those involved by analyzing surveillance footage from residential and commercial cameras. A knife was also located and is being examined to determine whether it is connected to the case. The 17-year-old allegedly claimed that the weapon he used was discarded in a bin and has not yet been found.
In his testimony, according to Greek broadcaster ERT, he stated that he did not intend to kill the 15-year-old, claiming he picked up the knife during the fight and used it, as he said, only to injure him.
So far, preliminary investigation data suggest a total of 17 individuals took part in the clash, most of them minors. Seven have been arrested and are expected to be brought before the juvenile prosecutor and then an investigating judge.
Authorities are investigating whether the confrontation was fueled by rivalry between the two groups over their presence in the Agia Eleousa Square area.
The 15-year-old was identified through fingerprint analysis. According to investigative information, he had previously come to the attention of authorities for cases involving possession of a knife and a brass knuckle weapon.
The mother of the teenager, who had been searching for him since the early morning hours, initially did not connect reports of the incident with her son, as early information suggested the victim was older. She was later informed by friends of the 15-year-old and went to the hospital, where she identified her son’s body.
