Deadly Ambush in Markopoulo: Planned Attack Claims Life of 5-Year-Old Boy

It appears that the deadly attack on a car in Markopoulo, eastern Attica, where a five-year-old Roma boy was fatally shot in the head, was likely planned in advance. Police found evidence at the scene, recovering fifteen 9 mm and eight 40 mm casings, suggesting the attackers used two firearms.

The incident involved a Roma family—father, mother, and child—traveling from Koropi to Markopoulo in a black Peugeot 308. They were ambushed by individuals in a white Toyota Yaris as they traveled along a dirt road near the Markopoulo Olympic Shooting Centre. The attackers fired multiple shots, one of which struck the child after penetrating the rear window.

The boy's parents rushed him to the Markopoulo health center. He was then transferred by ambulance to Aglaia Kyriakou children's hospital. Upon arrival, the hospital reported that the child had neither a pulse nor was he breathing, and despite 45 minutes of resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the attack and are planning to interview the boy's parents. There is speculation that this incident may be linked to an ongoing feud.