A 26-year-old man, recently released from Nicosia central prison in Cyprus, was arrested again after firing a gun six times into the air near the prison. The motive behind the drive-by shooting remains unclear, and the incident is currently under investigation.
What happened in the drive-by shooting incident near Nicosia Prisons?
A 26-year-old man, released from Nicosia central prison, was re-arrested after allegedly firing a gun six times into the air near the prison. He was identified through witness accounts and CCTV, leading to speculation about the motive, with no clear target established. The incident is still under investigation.
Incident Overview
In a startling sequence of events, a 26-year-old man, freshly released from incarceration, found himself back in custody. This dramatic turn followed a drive-by shooting incident that occurred in the vicinity of the central prison in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. The man allegedly discharged a firearm six times into the open sky, an act that quickly attracted the attention of local authorities and led to his re-arrest.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
The suspect, hailing from Larnaca, was apprehended at his residence after law enforcement officials received witness accounts and scrutinized available CCTV footage. During the subsequent court hearing, it emerged that a group of eight individuals in three vehicles came to collect the man upon his release from the prison. They were also observed taking a photograph outside the facility, an act captured on the prison’s surveillance system.
Further investigation involved the examination of a second set of CCTV cameras situated approximately 100 meters from the prison. The footage from these cameras did not show the individuals but did capture one of the vehicles involved, notably missing its rear license plate but with partial front plate details visible.
The police inspector provided testimony indicating that the main suspect was seen on the prison cameras entering the same vehicle that appeared in the second set of footage—the vehicle from which the gunfire was believed to have originated. The gunfire reportedly came from the driver’s side, where the suspect had positioned himself.
Defense and Speculations
The defense counsel challenged the eight-day remand period, arguing the improbability of their client obtaining a firearm immediately after release. They also pointed out that the video evidence showed only a hand extending from the vehicle’s window during the shooting, leaving the nature of the object in hand and the individual’s actions ambiguous.
The incident’s motive remains uncertain. Initial reports suggested a potential link to a Nicosia businessman with prior experiences of property shootings. However, as the investigation unfolded, it was clarified that the shots were fired into the air and not at any property.
Reaction and Aftermath
On the day of the incident, at around 11:20 am, the suspect, together with his entourage in a black car with tinted windows, prompted a police response in the Ayios Andreas area. Cyprus’s intricate criminal landscape often features such episodes that sometimes involve retaliations or business disputes. This incident is still under investigation, and the true intent behind the suspect’s actions remains a matter of speculation.
What happened in the drive-by shooting incident near Nicosia Prisons?
A 26-year-old man, released from Nicosia central prison, was re-arrested after allegedly firing a gun six times into the air near the prison. He was identified through witness accounts and CCTV, leading to speculation about the motive, with no clear target established. The incident is still under investigation.
Was anyone injured in the drive-by shooting?
No, there were no reported injuries in the drive-by shooting incident. The suspect allegedly fired the gun into the air, and no individuals or property were targeted.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The incident is currently under investigation. Law enforcement officials have obtained witness accounts and reviewed CCTV footage to identify the suspect. The motive behind the drive-by shooting is still unclear, and further investigation is ongoing.
What actions have been taken regarding the suspect and the incident?
The suspect was apprehended at his residence after the incident, and he has been remanded in custody. The court proceedings have begun, and the defense counsel has challenged the remand period. The investigation involves examining CCTV footage and gathering more evidence to establish the true intent behind the suspect’s actions.
