Greek police arrest three youths after midnight gunfire in Athens apartment building

Altercation and gunfire at Pangrati apartment building

The incident unfolded around 00:50 on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, in the Pangrati district of Athens. A violent dispute broke out among several individuals gathered in a shared communal space and outside the entrance of a residential apartment block at 28 Vasileiou Laskou Street. The verbal altercation escalated rapidly into an exchange of gunfire within the property grounds shortly before 1:00. Alarmed by shouting and repeated gunshots echoing through the building, a 26-year-old resident telephoned the police emergency dispatch service, Immediate Action. By the time initial patrol units arrived at the address, the majority of the individuals involved in the confrontation had already fled the communal area.

Fifth-floor pursuit and arrests

Officers arriving at 28 Vasileiou Laskou Street cordoned off the building to prevent suspects from leaving the surrounding perimeter. While several participants managed to escape into neighbouring streets prior to police arrival, others attempted to hide inside the building. Patrol officers tracked suspects moving up through the stairwells toward the upper levels to evade capture. On the fifth floor of the apartment block, officers intercepted five individuals who were attempting to flee across the top landing. Police took three young men into custody on site, identified as suspects aged 18, 19, and 20.

Recovery of firearm and basement ballistics

Following the detentions, forensic teams sealed off the building to conduct an extensive search of the communal and exterior areas. In the basement of the property, investigators located and catalogued one spent cartridge casing and two intact bullets. Further examination of the uncovered outdoor courtyard behind the apartment block led to the discovery of a discarded handgun. Police reports noted that the weapon measured approximately 22 centimetres in length, while technical records also referenced 22-millimetre specifications. All recovered ballistic evidence was collected for laboratory testing to confirm how many rounds were fired during the incident.

Criminal charges and hospital inquiries

Judicial authorities filed a formal criminal case against the three detained suspects later on Tuesday morning. The 19-year-old suspect faces lead charges of attempted homicide in connection with the discharge of the weapon. The 18-year-old and 20-year-old suspects were charged with criminal complicity for their participation in the altercation. Emergency services reported no injuries among residents living in the building. Investigators from the Athens Security Subdirectorate are checking regional medical clinics to verify whether any participants who fled the scene suffered gunshot wounds during the shootout.

Preliminary investigation by Athens security

The preliminary inquiry into the incident was formally assigned to the Athens Security Subdirectorate, operating alongside the Crime Prosecution and Investigation Subdirectorate. Detectives are interviewing neighbours and the 26-year-old resident who initiated the emergency call to establish the sequence of events. The investigation focuses on identifying the root cause of the initial altercation that triggered the gunfire in the communal hallway. Authorities are also continuing operations to locate the remaining individuals who managed to disperse before police units secured the building.