The small village of Lithovouni in western Greece remains in shock following the fatal shooting of 50-year-old community leader Kostas, allegedly at the hands of a 44-year-old former friend. The suspect was brought before local authorities and granted a deadline to formally respond to charges on Wednesday.
Security forces have intensified their presence in the area, fearing potential retaliation between the families of the victim and the suspect. Special police units are guarding the homes of both families to prevent further escalation.
According to statements made during the suspect’s preliminary police interview, the 44-year-old claimed he acted in self-defense. He asserted that moments before the shooting, he saw the victim aiming at him from inside his car. “I was scared and struck first. I got him before he could get me,” he reportedly told police.
Investigators say the confrontation was fueled by a love rivalry. The suspect admitted that the victim’s wife had engaged in an extramarital relationship with him and had temporarily moved to Patras. According to his account, she eventually returned to her husband, but tensions remained high, leading up to the fatal encounter. A family member of the victim also revealed that the woman had previously attempted suicide, highlighting the complex personal dynamics involved.
Villagers expressed disbelief over the violence. “Neither of them were the kind of people you’d expect to do this. They were good people. How it escalated to this, no one can understand,” said one resident.
Eyewitnesses report that both men were known to carry hunting rifles in their vehicles, a factor that played a role on the day of the shooting. The confrontation occurred near the village exit toward Agios Andreas, at a roadside fountain. The suspect fired three shots, causing the victim to lose control of his vehicle. The car traveled a short distance before crashing into a nearby olive grove, where the 50-year-old succumbed to his injuries.
