An 89-year-old man opened fire with a shotgun Tuesday afternoon in a social security office and a courthouse in central Athens, wounding at least four people, according to Hellenic Police. The rare incident has prompted immediate security reviews across public buildings, highlighting concerns about the accessibility of civic services. Authorities found the shotgun after the second attack, but the motive remained unclear as of Wednesday morning.
The man, whose identity police have not yet released, first targeted the National Social Security Fund (EFKA) offices in the Kerameikos district of central Athens. This initial attack occurred shortly after 13:00 GMT. He walked calmly into the building, navigating its floors before encountering staff.
His actions quickly escalated. Public fear spread through the area. Police arrived swiftly on the scene.
Alexandros Varveris, head of EFKA, recounted the sequence of events at the social security office to state broadcaster ERT radio. The gunman ascended to the fourth floor, where he confronted an employee. He raised his shotgun.
Varveris described the attacker's unusual composure, noting the man wore a trenchcoat, concealing the weapon beneath. This detail stood out. The gunman then issued a stark command, telling one employee to duck, before firing.
The shot struck another employee, wounding him in the leg. Police officers, arriving minutes later, administered first aid, applying a tourniquet to the wounded man's leg, before paramedics transported him to a local hospital for further care. The attacker, however, fled the scene before officers could apprehend him.
Security camera footage, aired by local media outlets, captured the suspect's movements near the EFKA office. It showed an elderly man walking deliberately across a street. He carried what appeared to be a short-barreled shotgun in his right hand.
His pace was unhurried. The image offered a chilling glimpse into the moments before the second attack. Police initiated a broader search, dispatching units across central Athens.
The city braced for further developments. Roughly an hour later, the same individual was suspected of opening fire again, this time within a court building situated in another part of central Athens. This attack occurred on the ground floor of the judicial complex.
Several people sustained injuries there. Emergency services rushed to the scene. Television footage showed ambulance crews carefully moving at least three individuals from the courthouse.
They were then loaded into waiting ambulances, bound for medical facilities. The situation was tense. Stratis Dounias, who leads the Athens Judicial Employees Union, provided initial details regarding the courthouse incident.
He told reporters that information suggested the gunman had fired at the floor inside one of the court offices. This action caused ricocheting shotgun pellets to strike multiple individuals. At least three female court employees suffered minor wounds from these pellets.
A fourth female employee was transported to a hospital, though she reportedly sustained no physical injuries, likely suffering from shock. These incidents disrupted court proceedings for the remainder of the day. Police later confirmed the discovery of the shotgun, found within the court building.
The weapon was secured. This development marked a significant step in the investigation. However, the exact motive for the shootings remained largely undefined.
State broadcaster ERT reported that the gunman had apparently left envelopes containing documents at the courthouse. These papers, according to ERT, were said to outline the reasons behind his violent actions. Investigators are now meticulously examining these documents for clues.
They hope to understand what drove an 89-year-old to such extremes. Gun violence, particularly of this nature, is relatively uncommon in Greece. The nation maintains strict regulations on firearm ownership.
Citizens can own firearms, but the process involves extensive background checks, psychological evaluations, and specific licensing for hunting or sport. This contrasts sharply with some other countries. Dr.
Eleni Kouris, a criminologist at the University of Athens, noted, "Such public acts of violence are rare here. Our gun laws are robust." She emphasized the anomaly of the event. Data from the Hellenic Police Force shows a steady decline in firearm-related violent crime over the past decade.
However, the incident at the social security office points to potential underlying frustrations within the population, particularly among older citizens. Greece's social security fund, EFKA, has faced considerable strain over the years. This strain stems from economic austerity measures, an aging population, and bureaucratic challenges. "The policy says one thing about retirement security.
Sofia Antoniou, a professor of social policy at the University of Piraeus. She explained that delays in pension processing, complex administrative procedures, and perceived reductions in benefits can create profound anxiety for families. Many depend entirely on these payments.
For some, these frustrations become overwhelming. What this actually means for your family is a question of trust in institutions. When public buildings, meant to serve citizens, become sites of violence, it erodes the sense of security.
Parents wonder if their children are safe. Employees worry about their workplaces. The incident forces a re-evaluation of security protocols in places like courts and social services.
It also brings into focus the mental health and social support available for an aging population, particularly those who may feel marginalized or unheard within complex state systems. This incident, while isolated, highlights the fragility of public peace. Both sides claim victory in maintaining public order or exposing systemic flaws.
Here are the numbers: four people wounded, two public institutions targeted, one elderly gunman at large for a period. The human cost is clear. The disruption to daily life, though temporary, leaves a lasting impression.
It prompts essential conversations about how a society cares for its most vulnerable, and how it responds when those vulnerabilities manifest in unexpected ways. The incident serves as a stark reminder that even in countries with strict gun controls, individual grievances can erupt into violence. - An 89-year-old gunman attacked a social security office and a courthouse in central Athens, wounding four people. - The man, who concealed a shotgun under a trenchcoat, fled the first scene before police found the weapon at the second. - Greek authorities are investigating documents reportedly left by the gunman that detail his motives. - The rare incident highlights concerns about public safety in civic buildings and potential frustrations with social security systems. Moving forward, investigators will focus on the contents of the documents left by the gunman, which are expected to shed light on his precise motivations.
Hellenic Police officials have indicated that a comprehensive review of security protocols for public service buildings across Athens will be initiated. This review will likely influence future access to these critical government facilities. Public health services will also monitor the physical and psychological well-being of the victims and witnesses.
The broader implications for Greece's social support systems, particularly for its elderly citizens, will be a key area for public discussion in the coming weeks.
Key Takeaways
— - An 89-year-old gunman attacked a social security office and a courthouse in central Athens, wounding four people.
— - The man, who concealed a shotgun under a trenchcoat, fled the first scene before police found the weapon at the second.
— - Greek authorities are investigating documents reportedly left by the gunman that detail his motives.
— - The rare incident highlights concerns about public safety in civic buildings and potential frustrations with social security systems.
Source: The Independent
