Athens shooting: Authorities said the gunman abandoned the shotgun at the courthouse along with letters addressed to newspapers before fleeing on foot. (Photo generated using AI)An elderly gunman, reportedly aged 89, wounded five people in two separate shooting incidents in central Athens on Tuesday before fleeing the scene, according to police statements and media reports.ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEOThe suspect first opened fire at a branch of Greece’s social security agency, known as EFKA, in the Kerameikos area. The police said one employee was shot in the leg during the attack.According to Alexandros Varveris, head of the National Social Security Fund, the gunman had gone to the fourth floor of the building and fired after instructing an employee to duck, the AP reported. The shot struck another worker instead. Police officers who arrived at the scene administered first aid, including a tourniquet, before the injured man was transported to a hospital, the report further said.Following the initial shooting, the suspect reportedly took a taxi to a courthouse in another part of central Athens, where he fired multiple shots inside the building, Reuters reported.Must Read | India, Greece sign joint declaration of intent to strengthen defence cooperationPolice and court officials confirmed that four female court clerks sustained minor injuries. The AP also quoted Stratis Dounias, head of the Athens Judicial Employees Union, who told state broadcaster ERT that the women were “slightly injured,” with some reportedly hit by ricocheting shotgun pellets. Meanwhile, television footage showed emergency crews transporting at least three individuals from the courthouse.Authorities said the gunman abandoned the shotgun at the courthouse along with letters addressed to newspapers before fleeing on foot, the Reuters report said. The AP reported that envelopes containing documents were left behind, which may outline the reasons for his actions, although the police have not officially confirmed a motive.Security camera footage aired by local media purportedly showed a man calmly walking near the social security office carrying what appeared to be a short-barreled shotgun. The same individual is suspected of having carried out the courthouse attack.Story continues below this adGreek media identified the suspect as a garbage collector from the Athens area. Searches are on to nab the suspect, who remains at large.The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:AthensGreece