Argos: 20-year-old shot by police officers during pursuit – two arrests
Two officers from the Crime Prevention and Suppression Unit (OEPKE) have been arrested on the spot following the wounding of a 20-year-old during a pursuit in Argos. The wound is located at the back of the head.
Shooting of 20-year-old in Argos: Two police officers in expedited proceedings
Two officers from the Crime Prevention and Suppression Unit (OEPKE) of Argolida have been arrested on the spot following a shooting incident that wounded a 20-year-old man during a pursuit in Argos in the early morning hours of 8 July 2026. A case file has been opened against them for violation of weapons legislation and grievous bodily harm.
According to Newsbeast, police analyst Stavros Balaskas analysed the incident on Live News, focusing on the fact that "the wound is at the back of the head", and stressed that forensic findings would provide the final answer as to whether the bullet ricocheted or not.
The pursuit
According to an official police statement, OEPKE officers attempted to stop a vehicle driver in an area of Argos. The driver refused to comply with the stop signals, accelerated to high speed and attempted to ram police officers who were outside vehicles, as well as police patrol cars.
Balaskas noted that "the pursuit took place at over 160 kilometres per hour, within a residential area", questioning how there were no civilian casualties. During the pursuit, the prescribed protocol was followed: the Centre was notified and the vehicle was blocked off by patrol cars.
The blockade and shootings
The vehicle was blockaded, but the driver rammed the patrol cars and abandoned the car on foot, attempting to escape by climbing over a wall. At this point, two officers used their service firearms, resulting in the wounding of the 20-year-old.
Balaskas noted that tyre immobilisation rounds could have been used during the pursuit, saying characteristically: "I have fired them myself". Regarding the conditions for using a service firearm, the analyst was emphatic: "Only when there is a direct, face-to-face, visible and proven danger to the lives of police officers or citizens. In no other case does the gun come out".
Hospitalisation and seizures
An EKAB ambulance was immediately called to the scene and transported the injured man to a local hospital. He was subsequently transferred to a hospital in Attica, where he is currently being treated.
During the escape route, near the spot where the initial stop signal was given, an air rifle was found and seized, which will be sent to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for laboratory examination.
Procedures and investigation
The competent prosecutor was immediately informed of the incident, and the prescribed disciplinary procedure has commenced to investigate the exact circumstances of the event. The preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Department of Prosecution and Investigation of Crimes in Nafplio with the assistance of the Directorate of Combating Organised Crime (DAOE).
Source: Newsbeast