Deadly attack in which boy, 5, died likely planned in advance

It would appear that the perpetrators of the deadly attack on a car in Markopoulo, eastern Attica, in which a five-year-old Roma boy died as a result of a gunshot to the head, had planned an ambush in advance.

Police at the crime scene recovered fifteen 9 mm and eight 40 mm casings, indicating that the attackers used two guns in the ambush.

The Roma family – a father, mother and child – were heading from Koropi to Markopoulo in a black Peugeot 308.

It is understood that a white Toyota Yaris with five people inside was waiting for them on a dirt road near the Markopoulo Olympic Shooting Centre, where shots rang out.

The Peugeot car was hit by several bullets, one of which penetrated the rear window and fatally wounded the child in the head.

The boy’s parents initially took him to Markopoulo health center, from where he was transferred by ambulance to the emergency department of Aglaia Kyriakou children’s hospital.

According to a statement issued by the hospital, upon arrival the child had no pulse and was not breathing. After attempts at resuscitation that lasted 45 minutes, the child was pronounced dead.

Police have not reached any conclusions about the reason for the attack and are waiting to speak to the parents of the boy.

However, there is speculation that the attack is part of a feud.