A shocking crime unfolded in the town of Gonnoi, Larissa, when a 60-year-old man, with a known criminal past, murdered two individuals before engaging in a standoff with police, ultimately taking his own life.
The suspect, armed with a Kalashnikov and a grenade, opened fire on authorities during negotiations before fatally shooting himself.
Police Statement on the Incident
The Thessaly Police Directorate issued an official statement detailing the events of the tragic day. According to authorities, the incident began early Sunday morning, February 9, 2025, when the suspect contacted the Larissa Emergency Service and the Tempi Police Department at 07:03, confessing to having killed two people inside his carpentry shop.
Law enforcement, including local police, crime investigators, the O.P.K.E. special forces, and negotiators from the Greek Police, swiftly responded. The area was immediately secured, and surrounding buildings were evacuated to ensure public safety.
After several hours of tense negotiations, at approximately 16:00, the suspect emerged from his shop and fired shots into the air using a Kalashnikov rifle. He then turned the weapon toward a police officer before shooting himself with a revolver. Authorities later discovered an arsenal of weapons inside the workshop.
A History of Violence and Extremism
Investigations into the suspect’s background have revealed a troubling past linked to far-right extremism. According to journalist Dimitris Psaras, who has documented neo-Nazi activities in Greece for decades, the 60-year-old was affiliated with the now-defunct extremist organisation Golden Dawn.
Psaras recalled an earlier incident in 2001 when the suspect threw grenades at trucks where Turkish nationals were sleeping, an act of racist violence that fortunately resulted in no casualties. He was later arrested, convicted in 2004, and sentenced to 6.5 years in prison, though the prosecution had sought a 15-year sentence.
Despite claims from Golden Dawn leadership that he was not an official member, the party openly supported him during his trial. In later years, the suspect actively participated in Golden Dawn events, appearing alongside convicted far-right figures such as Ilias Kasidiaris and Ilias Panagiotaros. In 2014, he ran as a candidate for deputy mayor under the party’s banner in local elections.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to examine the crime scene with the assistance of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. The case is being handled by the Larissa Sub-Directorate for Crime Investigation, as forensic experts work to uncover further details about the suspect’s motives and potential connections to extremist networks.
This shocking act of violence has reignited concerns over the lingering influence of far-right extremism in Greece, even after the dismantling of Golden Dawn.
(Source: To Vima)