A 51-year-old man was fatally shot in front of dozens of people, including children, during a local chestnut festival in the village of Elos, Kissamos, on the Greek island of Crete. The shooting, which took place on Sunday evening, has shocked the local community. The suspect surrendered on Monday to the authorities.
According to police sources and eyewitness accounts, the suspect approached the victim in the crowd, drew his gun, and fired three times at point-blank range, hitting him in the heart. Witnesses said the attack happened so suddenly and quietly that many did not initially realize what had occurred.
Some attendees reportedly tried to stop the gunman, but he escaped while still holding his weapon. Authorities identified the gunman as the victim’s 23-year-old cousin, after turning himself in.
The Incident
The shooting took place in the middle of the festivities, as families and children gathered for the annual event. Witnesses described scenes of panic and disbelief as the victim collapsed on the dance floor. Paramedics from the Kissamos Health Center arrived quickly and attempted to resuscitate him, but the man succumbed to his injuries while being transported to Chania Hospital.
Authorities confirmed that the two men were related and had a history of personal disputes. Local reports suggest the 23-year-old’s surrender came after negotiations with his family, who urged him to cooperate with police.
Investigators are examining whether the killing was the result of a long-standing feud. Police have also stepped up their presence in the area to prevent any risk of a vendetta, a form of retaliatory violence that has occasionally occurred in rural parts of Crete.
Local media reported that the victim, who was celebrating his name day at the time of the shooting, had previously been involved in altercations and minor legal incidents.
The suspect remains in custody and is expected to face formal charges in the coming days.
