82-year-old held after shooting intruder

An 82-year-old man was remanded for five days in police custody, suspected of attempted murder after shooting at an alleged burglar trying to steal electrical cables from his home in Alassa, Limassol.

The Limassol District Court issued the remand order as police were investigating an alleged attempted murder against a 67-year-old man currently being treated in a critical state at an ICU of a private hospital.

According to the police, the incident occurred at around 7.15 pm on Sunday, when the 82-year-old man contacted the police to report that he had shot an intruder who entered the yard of his home and was allegedly attempting to steal electrical cables.

The suspect told police he had fired his hunting gun in the air, injuring the man attempting to flee.

Police officers dispatched to the scene found a man, aged 67, who had been shot in the back.

The man was taken to Limassol General Hospital and then to a private clinic, where he underwent surgery. According to doctors at the clinic, the man’s condition is critical.

In comments to the Financial Mirror, a police spokesperson said the force is investigating the claims made by the 82-year-old.

“Examinations are currently being carried out with the help of the ballistics service of the Limassol CID to clarify all the circumstances under which this incident took place,” said the officer.

He noted that even if the elderly man’s claims of trying to stop the theft are true, “no one is allowed to use a firearm against another person”.

He also added that the 82-year-old reported being the victim of another attempted electric cable theft on Friday.

“The second time, as the suspect claims, he went outside, taking his shotgun with him for protection,” said the officer.

It is unclear whether the perpetrator was the man shot on Sunday.