Athens shootings leave one dead, one injured
Two bloody attacks in Athens yesterday that left the owner of a butcher shop dead and a suspected bank robber out on bail seriously injured have raised fears that violent crime is on the rise in the capital. The 53-year-old butcher was shot dead outside his home in Galatsi, northern Athens, at about 4.30 a.m. police said. The unnamed victim was shot twice in the stomach by his assailants, who stole 9,000 euros in cash from him. The 43-year-old alleged bank robber was shot in the back of the head at close range as he prepared to take his daughter, aged 9, to school in the western suburb of Aegaleo. Police believe that the unnamed victim was shot by a contract killer, who was seen picking up the bullet casing after shooting his target. The victim had been released on bail after being charged with taking part in an armed robbery in 2006. He was in a critical condition last night.