89-year-old man arrested after Athens double shooting injures five
Consensus Summary
An 89-year-old garbage collector from Athens was arrested on April 28, 2026, after a double shooting spree in the city, injuring five people. The attacks occurred at a social security office and an appeals court, where the suspect used an antiquated shotgun and fled on foot. Both sources confirm the suspect was armed and had a history of mental illness, with reports linking his actions to a rejected state pension application. Security failures, including unused X-ray machines at the courthouse, were criticized by judicial authorities. The suspect was detained in Patras after a manhunt, though ABC initially reported him as still on the run. The shootings shocked Greece, a nation with rare gun violence, and highlighted ongoing economic struggles among pensioners.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- An 89-year-old man was arrested in Patras on suspicion of shooting and wounding people in Athens on April 28, 2026.
- The suspect was identified as an 89-year-old garbage collector from the Athens area.
- The shootings occurred at a social security office (EFKA) and an appeals court in central Athens on April 28, 2026.
- Five people were injured in the two shootings: one social security employee (leg wound) and four court officials (light injuries).
- The gunman used an antiquated shotgun in both attacks and fled on foot after leaving the weapon at the courthouse.
- The suspect was detained in custody in Patras after a countrywide manhunt.
- The suspect was armed with a shotgun during the attacks.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The suspect had a history of mental illness and was angered by the rejection of a state pension application.
- Judicial authorities criticized Greece’s inadequate security measures, including unused X-ray machines at the courthouse for seven years due to lack of trained staff.
- The Greek association of judges and prosecutors stated the attack demonstrated 'the absence of appropriate security measures' in an EU member state.
- The suspect was reportedly attempting to flee to Italy after the shootings.
- The attacks occurred on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, with the first shooting at a social security office and the second at an appeals court.
- The court building was evacuated immediately after the second shooting.
- Security camera footage from a local store showed the suspect walking calmly with a short-barrelled shotgun before the first attack.
- The suspect left letters addressed to newspapers at the courthouse scene.
- Four women working at the small claims court were slightly injured, according to Stratis Dounias, head of the judiciary employees' union in Athens.
- Police have not commented on a possible motive for the shootings.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the suspect was arrested in Patras after a manhunt, while ABC reports the suspect was on the run at the time of publication (though later arrested).
- The Guardian mentions the suspect was attempting to flee to Italy, but ABC does not reference this detail.
Source Articles
89-year-old man arrested over Athens double shooting
Multiple people injured when gunman opened fire inside a social security office and later an appeals court An 89-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of shooting and wounding several people in attacks on government buildings in Athens. Hours after the double shooting in the Greek capital, authorities announced a suspect had been detained in the western port city of Patras, reportedly attempting to flee to Italy. His arrest followed a countrywide manhunt. Continue reading...
Gunman, 89, on the run after five injured in Athens shootings
The elderly man opened fire at a social security agency and then a courthouse in Athens before fleeing the scene, police say.