ATHENS, Greece (AP) - On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, police in Greece arrested an 89-year-old man who was involved in a shooting at a social security office and a courthouse in central Athens, injuring at least four individuals. The incident sparked immediate concern and led to a swift response from law enforcement.
The suspect was apprehended near the city of Patra, located approximately 210 kilometers (130 miles) west of Athens. Initial reports indicated that the gunman first opened fire at a social security office, wounding an employee before fleeing the scene. According to authorities, the police officers who arrived on the scene treated the injured individual shortly after the attack.
Local media outlets broadcast security camera footage that allegedly depicted the suspect walking calmly across the street while carrying a short-barreled shotgun in his right hand. Law enforcement later linked the same man to a shooting that occurred within a courthouse in another area of central Athens, where multiple individuals were injured.
Television footage captured the moments after the courthouse shooting, showing ambulance crews transporting at least three injured individuals to nearby hospitals. Stratis Dounias, the head of the Athens Judicial Employees Union, noted that early information suggested the man had discharged his weapon inside one of the court’s offices, leading to minor injuries for several female employees from ricocheting pellets. Reports also indicated that a fourth female employee was taken to the hospital without any visible injuries.
The precise motive behind the attacks has not been clarified. State broadcaster ERT reported that following the shooting at the courthouse, the gunman reportedly left behind envelopes containing documents, alluding to the reasons for his violent actions.
Alexandros Varveris, the head of the National Social Security Fund (known by its Greek acronym EFKA), stated that the gunman had specifically ascended to the fourth floor of the social security offices, where he aimed his shotgun after instructing an employee to duck. One employee was struck and sustained a leg injury from the gunfire. Varveris highlighted that the shooter did not appear to target the injured employee directly.
Emergency responders provided immediate assistance to the wounded individual, applying a tourniquet to his leg at the scene before transporting him to a medical facility for further treatment. Gun violence is generally uncommon in Greece, where firearm ownership is permitted but highly regulated, which has led to a national shock over the incident.
The event has intensified discussions regarding safety in public spaces, especially in institutions like courts and government offices. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the motivations behind this shooting and to enhance security measures to prevent future incidents. The ramifications of this shooting could lead to changes in policies and public safety protocols to ensure the well-being of citizens in such environments.
