Man Fires Gun in Air Three Times During Party, Accidentally Shoots Himself in the Foot

A 37-year-old man fired a gun in the air three times during a party while under the influence of alcohol, and subsequently, accidentally shot himself in the foot. He has been arrested. This information has been provided by the Investigative Committee.

The Kotayk regional investigative department of the Republic of Armenia's Investigative Committee is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the hooliganism and the gunshot wound sustained by the 37-year-old man.

On December 21, 2019, the man attended a party at a restaurant complex in Kotayk province, where, under the influence of alcohol and driven by a mania to assert his superiority over the other guests, he fired three shots into the air from an illegally held firearm, damaging the ceiling and walls of the venue. The gunfire created an atmosphere of fear and panic among the party attendees, disrupting the normal operations of the restaurant. He then left the scene in his BMW and, while in the car, accidentally shot himself in the left foot with the same handgun, causing bodily injury.

On December 22, 2019, at 07:20, a report was received from the Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center in Yerevan, stating that a resident of Kotayk province, born in 1982, had been admitted with a gunshot wound to the area around his left knee, claiming that he accidentally shot himself with a weapon found near the Nork Village bridge.

A criminal case has been initiated at the Abovyan investigative division of the Kotayk regional investigative department of the RA Investigative Committee under Part 1 of Article 258 and Part 1 of Article 235 of the RA Criminal Code.

During the preliminary investigation, extensive investigative and procedural actions were undertaken, including the questioning of several individuals, site inspections, and searches, which resulted in the discovery and seizure of a Beretta type combat weapon, the cartridge fired from that weapon, as well as the clothing the 37-year-old man was wearing at the time of the incident and other items of evidential significance.

To clarify significant circumstances related to the criminal case, various expert examinations have been appointed, including forensic medical, forensic tracological, and forensic ballistic examinations.

Based on sufficient evidence obtained, charges have been brought against the Kotayk resident under Part 1 of Article 258 and Part 1 of Article 235 of the RA Criminal Code. The investigator submitted a petition to the court to choose detention as a measure of restraint, which has been approved. The investigation continues, and measures are being taken to ensure an objective, complete, and comprehensive review of the circumstances of the case.