Shooting Towards Minors with Airgun Near Restaurant in Jruvzhe

The Investigative Committee of Armenia's Kotayk region is conducting urgent investigative and procedural actions in connection with a criminal case regarding hooliganism involving the use of weapons, illegal possession of air guns, and the infliction of bodily harm on minors.

On July 8, 2023, at 00:22, a report was received from a citizen stating that unknown individuals had lured children out of a restaurant near the village of Jruvzhe and inflicted injuries on three of them using a gas-powered weapon. An operational group from the Kotayk regional branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs promptly proceeded to the scene.

A criminal case has been initiated under Articles 297, Part 3, and 334, Part 1, of the Armenian Criminal Code, recognizing the three minors as victims. Preliminary findings indicate that on the day of the incident, a dispute arose—agreed upon in advance—between the minors and a group of individuals (preliminarily also minors), which escalated into a brawl. During this altercation, one of the individuals involved retrieved an airgun from a vehicle and fired shots towards the minors, causing bodily injuries to two of them.

Throughout the investigation, necessary investigative actions have been completed, including an examination of the crime scene. The injured minors have been questioned in the presence of a psychologist and legal representatives. Forensics examinations were ordered for them; however, they refused to appear for the medical assessments.

Necessary measures are being taken to fully identify all individuals involved in the incident, locate them, present them to the investigating authority, legally evaluate each individual's actions, and recover the airgun used in the crime. A directive has been issued to the corresponding department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The investigation is ongoing.

Notification: A defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty by a lawfully enforceable court decision as prescribed by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia.