Gangster like Larnaca murder could be a ‘settling of debts’ (update 2)

A man ambushed and shot on Monday night was killed as the result of a premeditated murder police said on Tuesday as investigations continue into the motives behind it.

Thorough investigations are being carried out, both at the scene where Marios Gergiou was killed and the surrounding area, as well as the route followed by the victim, police spokesman Christos Andreou told the Cyprus News Agency, adding that some interrogations were carried out during the night, with more to come.

The 34-year-old from Larnaca was shot and killed on the Meneou-Pervolia road a little after 9pm on Monday.

Larnaca police spokesman Charalambos Zachariou told reporters at the scene that the man had been shot several times.

“Around 9.15 pm, a 34-year-old man from Larnaca was shot several times, resulting in his death,” he said.

“It seems that the 34-year-old was alone in his car and at the time of the attack he was travelling from Meneou in the direction of the coastal area of Pervolia.”

The victim died instantly, he added. The scene was cordoned off, as police investigations got underway and state pathologists arrived to examine the victim.

According to the CNA unknown people hiding behind trees next to the road ambushed Georgiou close to a kiosk as he made his way home from the gym.

Later reports added that a speed bump in the road had required him to slow down, possibly making him an easier target for the shooters.

State pathologists Angeliki Papetta and Orthodoxos Orthodoxou said he was hit in the head and both hands by several bullets.

A post-mortem showed that the cause of death was damage to vital organs caused by three bullets – one to the victim’s temple and one to each hand.

“Every murder case is a serious case,” Andreou said, adding that the victim was well known to police. The incident itself has been described as ‘gangster-like’ and a ‘settling of debts’.

In addition, the victim had reportedly asked for police protection because he feared his life was in danger.

Police are questioning people in connection with the case, as well as previous cases involving the 34-year-old, Andreou said.

Investigators collected shells and other evidence, possibly including genetic material, from the surrounding area, and are also in the process of viewing footage from security cameras from the kiosk and other buildings in the area.