Knife attack at Mandras police station: 31-year-old shot by officer amid psychological distress
A 31-year-old armed with a knife entered Mandras Police Station and was seriously wounded by a police officer. Witnesses describe dramatic moments during the incident.
Knife assault at Mandras Police Station — officer fires at 31-year-old who shouted "Shoot me"
The 31-year-old who burst into Mandras Police Station armed with a knife and attempted to attack officers is experiencing serious mental health problems, according to In.gr, which also presents eyewitness testimonies from inside the station.
Suspect's background
According to Vasilis Lampropoulos, last June the 31-year-old was arrested and a case file was opened against him for domestic violence against close relatives, likely his parents. In the same month, he had attempted suicide, resulting in his being placed in compulsory detention at a mental health facility in Athens. He remained there for a brief period and subsequently left, continuing treatment for his psychological problems.
Initial assessments suggest that the attack may have been connected to his detention that summer and may have had a retaliatory character against the police officers.
How the incident unfolded
The 31-year-old entered the police station with rapid steps, stating that he had come to obtain an identity card. He climbed to the first floor, pulled out a knife and, according to reports, threatened the officers, saying: "Draw your weapons and leave them on the table." How he passed through the entrance check is expected to be investigated.
Witness accounts from inside
A mother and her son, who were at the identity card issuance office at the time, describe the moments that followed: "We hear the police officers shouting to each other 'if you have a weapon, draw it, bring it'. Shocked, the officers stand up, run to draw their weapons and then we hear a noise at the door. This man broke the door, while the officer was holding it closed with pressure to prevent him from entering."
When the officer pointed his service weapon at the perpetrator and asked him to calm down and drop the knife, the man began shouting: "Shoot, shoot, shoot, why won't you shoot me?" As he moved threateningly towards the officer, the latter was forced to open fire.
"We were inside, one door, one breath away… We closed the door and waited inside for them to tell us to come out," the witnesses reported, adding that the man had not said anything specific before the assault, but appeared to be in a state of amok, possibly due to serious psychological problems.
Injuries and hospitalisation
The 31-year-old was shot in the chest and transported by EKAV ambulance to Thriasio Hospital, where he is being treated in serious condition. During the altercation, a police officer was slightly injured to the head from fragments when the perpetrator hurled a plant pot at him.
Greek Police statement
The Greek Police confirmed the incident with an official statement: "In the afternoon today, a 31-year-old Greek national went to Mandras-Eidyllia Police Station, having a knife in his possession, with which he threatened police officers who were inside the building. Despite repeated and clear orders from the officers to drop the knife and comply with their instructions, the 31-year-old did not respond and continued to move in a threatening manner."
The statement states that a police officer "made use of a firearm, firing one shot, resulting in injury to the 31-year-old in the chest area". A preliminary investigation is being conducted into the circumstances and the actual facts under which the incident took place.
Source: In.gr