A 20-year-old man died in hospital early Sunday morning (12/7/26) after being critically injured in a police shooting during a high-speed chase in Argos, Peloponnese. The incident occurred following a 35-minute pursuit that began in Pyrgela and wound through several areas of Argos—including Elliniko, the airport zone, Stathaiika, and Monastiraki—before ending near a supermarket where the suspect’s vehicle was blocked by patrol cars.
Chase Ends in Gunfire
After his car was immobilized, the young driver fled on foot, jumped over a perimeter wall into an adjacent vacant lot, and entered an abandoned building. It was there that two officers from the Mobile Immediate Action Unit (OMAD) opened fire. According to video footage aired Saturday night (11/7/26) by MEGA, gunfire began at 00:54:30—less than a minute after the vehicle stopped—and continued for several seconds. The young man collapsed immediately, severely wounded in the head by two bullets.
Medical Evidence Raises Key Questions
The victim was rushed to the KAT General Hospital in Athens, where he was placed on life support in the ICU. Despite intensive care, his condition deteriorated, and he passed away in hospital. A medical report from KAT confirmed the presence of a foreign object resembling a bullet fragment in his skull—contradicting earlier suggestions of mere shrapnel injuries. This finding makes ballistic analysis of the officers’ firearms critical to determining which officer fired the fatal shots.
Officers Remanded, Charges Filed
Both officers appeared before the Nafplio Judicial Court for lengthy questioning. They were subsequently remanded in custody pending trial. Prosecutors have charged them with attempted homicide with possible intent under calm mental conditions, as well as violations of Greece’s firearms law. The officers reportedly claimed their shots were intended to intimidate—not hit—the suspect, and that the bullets were not aimed directly at him.
Evidence and Investigation
Thirteen spent shell casings were recovered at the scene. However, forensic review of MEGA’s exclusive video evidence indicates at least 21 shots were fired. Audio from the footage captures panicked exchanges among officers in the immediate aftermath. Authorities are now awaiting the final forensic autopsy report and ballistic test results from the weapons used, both of which are expected to clarify responsibility and reconstruct the sequence of events.