Gunman opens fire at 2 locations in the Greek capital, leaving several people wounded
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A gunman opened fire at a social security office and at a courthouse in central Athens on Tuesday, wounding several people, Greek authorities said. A police operation was underway to locate the gunman, who Greek media reported was an 89-year-old man.
Police said a suspect armed with a shotgun initially opened fire at a social security office in the center of the Greek capital, wounding an employee. Police officers who arrived at the scene treated the man, but the gunman fled the scene.
The same man was suspected of later opening fire on the ground floor of a court building in Athens, with several people wounded there, police said, adding that authorities had found the shotgun.
Footage from state broadcaster ERT News showed ambulance crews transporting at least three people from the courthouse to waiting ambulances.
The motive for the shooting was unclear. ERT said that the gunman had reportedly thrown envelopes with documents onto the floor after the shooting at the courthouse, saying those were the reasons for his actions.
Gun violence is relatively rare in Greece, where firearm ownership is allowed but tightly regulated.