Investigations are ongoing into the death of a 43-year-old woman at a shooting range in Malevizi, Heraklion, on Saturday, 27 June 2026. According to initial reports, the woman had been visiting Crete for holidays over the past two weeks and went to the Malevizi range as part of an introductory session to the sport of shooting. During that session — under circumstances still under investigation — she suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the neck. She was rushed to hospital but later died. Authorities are examining all possible scenarios surrounding the incident.
It has also been reported that the woman had been dealing with psychological issues. Police arrested the president of the local shooting club — who is responsible for the facility’s operation — and an assistant shooting instructor. Both were later released without charge.
Investigators are reviewing all available evidence, including procedural documentation, administrative records (such as signature authenticity), and digital data recovered from the woman’s mobile phone, to reconstruct her final movements. Attention has also turned to the standard procedures followed at Greek shooting ranges for beginners, as well as the regulatory framework governing trial participation in the sport.
How shooting trials work in Greece
In Greece’s officially licensed shooting ranges, trial sessions are conducted under strict guidelines for those wishing to explore the sport. Under current regulations, participants receive a temporary athletic identity card valid for up to 48 hours. This allows them to take part in a supervised trial training session organized by an accredited sports club.
The process begins with completing the relevant form, followed by mandatory safety briefing and firearms handling instruction delivered by a certified instructor. All shots must be fired using club-owned weapons, and an instructor must be present at all times during the session.
No psychiatric or psychological evaluation is required for this initial trial stage. However, anyone wishing to continue participating in the sport must formally register with a club and undergo the prescribed medical examinations. Importantly, such trials do not constitute or lead to firearm ownership rights — they are strictly athletic activities conducted with club equipment and continuous supervision.
‘No psychiatric or psychological evaluation required’
Alexandros Pantelakis, president of the Psachna Shooting Club, told newsit.gr: ‘The process for someone trying shooting for the first time is standardized. It starts with completing the Temporary Athletic Identity Card — valid for 48 hours. After filling out the document together with the instructor, the participant proceeds to the range, where they receive full safety orientation…’