Police forces in Chania remain on high alert as fears of retaliation – a vendetta in simple terms – following the deadly shooting in Elos are evident. The relatives of the 52-year-old who was killed by gunfire from the 23-year-old perpetrator, a self-confessed murderer, are demanding the strictest punishment from the justice system to honor their loved one’s memory. This is a crime that shocked the small village in Chania last Sunday evening during the Chestnut Festival.
“I didn’t plan it,” claims 23-year-old shooter in Chania deadly incident
The 23-year-old perpetrator now appears shocked and remorseful for the cold-blooded murder of his 52-year-old relative, as he stated before the Chania prosecutor, where he appeared yesterday afternoon. In the presence of his lawyer, Giorgos Fratzeskakis, he requested and received a postponement to testify Saturday morning before the Chania Investigator. The perpetrator himself, as he testified to police, found himself at the festival by chance. “I didn’t plan it, I went there by chance. The 52-year-old was on stage. He spoke to me badly, cursed me and spat on me,” the accused reportedly claimed. Suddenly, he lost control, as he maintains, and the tragedy occurred. He drew the 22-caliber pistol he had with him and fired at the victim. One of the bullets struck his heart and led to the unfortunate 52-year-old’s death. By sheer luck, no other attendees were injured, even though the victim was dancing with other people, locals and tourists alike. The perpetrator then rushed to disappear before police arrived at the scene. As he claimed, he went to Elafonisi, which is a short distance away, and threw the weapon there, indicating the location to authorities.
What the victim’s daughter claims
“These are lies. My father never threatened or spoke to the murderer,” the victim’s daughter maintained in her testimony. The two families have had a years-long feud over property and financial disputes and generally had no relationship, despite their family connection. Under fear of a new vendetta, Chania police have taken measures at both families’ homes in an attempt to prevent potential retaliation. Moreover, they are trying to mobilize respected figures in the area to achieve a “sasmos” – meaning to find a middle ground solution and end the feud so there are no new human losses. Against the 23-year-old, the Chania Prosecutor filed charges for premeditated murder in a calm mental state, carrying weapons in a public gathering place, and illegal weapon use, and referred him to testify at 10 AM on Saturday.
