An emotional court hearing has brought renewed attention to the killing of an 11-year-old boy, who died after being struck by a stray bullet during a school event in 2017. The case is now being examined again in a criminal court in Athens, with two defendants on trial.
The boy was attending a summer celebration at his school when the incident occurred, shocking the local community and raising broader concerns about public safety.
“I saw the blood flowing,” mother tells court
The victim’s mother, who was also his teacher, delivered a deeply moving testimony, describing the moment her son collapsed in the schoolyard.
“I heard a child shout that he had fallen,” she said. “He was face down. I turned him over and saw the blood flowing.”
At the time, she said, she did not realize her son had been shot, initially believing he had been injured in an accident. It was only later that doctors confirmed the fatal wound had been caused by a bullet.
Her testimony also highlighted what she described as a pattern of frequent gunfire in the area, saying such incidents were not uncommon.
“Anyone firing a weapon in a densely populated area is a potential killer,” she told the court.
Claims of delays and investigative gaps
The mother also raised concerns about the initial investigation, alleging delays in police action that may have allowed crucial evidence to be lost.
According to her statement, weapons were never recovered and suspects had time to disappear. She stressed that mistakes during the early stages of the inquiry had lasting consequences for the case.
Father speaks of grief and unanswered questions
The boy’s father also testified, describing his own efforts to gather information in the aftermath of the shooting. He spoke of the devastating impact on the family, recalling how a day meant for celebration turned into tragedy.
“We later learned our child had been hit in the head by a bullet,” he said, expressing guilt and frustration over what happened.
He echoed concerns about ongoing gunfire in the area, claiming that such incidents have continued over the years despite initial measures by authorities.
A case that continues to resonate
The trial has drawn significant public attention, with many attending the hearings in support of the victim’s family. Classmates and teachers were present in court, visibly affected as they followed the proceedings.
