Suspect Who Fired Shots in Nor Nork Administrative District Identified and Charged

On February 20, 2024, the Investigative Committee of Armenia initiated a criminal case under Article 297, Part 3 of the Criminal Code in the Avan and Nor Nork administrative divisions of Yerevan following a report of gunshots fired at the administrative building of the head of the Nor Nork district and surrounding areas. Investigations aim to clarify instances of gunfire targeting the windows of this administrative structure, the rear window of a privately owned 'Nissan Tida' parked at the facility, and at the glass of the 'H. Danielyan Arts School' located behind it.

As a result of extensive investigative actions and operational measures undertaken by law enforcement, the identity of the individual suspected of the crime was established; he is a 23-year-old resident of Yerevan, born in 2001. The investigation found that on February 19, at approximately 19:45, this individual parked his 'NISSAN SENTRA' near the back of the Nor Nork administrative building. After exiting the vehicle with an accomplice, he headed to a local military supply store, where he purchased three gas cartridges for his pistol-like object.

Upon returning to the vehicle, the young man, in blatant disregard of public order and societal norms, fired shots with an unidentified pistol from the P. Safyan alley into the adjacent park. He then drove off, discharging the firearm towards the windows of the Nor Nork administrative building, and also aimed at the windows of the A. Danielyan Arts School and the windshield of the parked 'NISSAN TIDA'.

On February 23, 2024, the prosecutorial authorities requested public criminal prosecution against the 23-year-old under Article 297, Part 3 of the Criminal Code, which was approved. A decision was made to arrest the suspect, with the implementation assigned to the police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia. That evening, the young man was arrested and presented to the prosecutorial body where he was charged.

A search of his residence yielded 15 cartridges, and an additional search of his 'Nissan' vehicle uncovered a zip package containing two bundles with a greenish substance weighing approximately 1.5 grams and another package containing five items wrapped with red duct tape weighing a total of 11.02 grams, which were sent for examination.

A proposal was submitted to the first instance criminal court of Yerevan to apply detention as a measure of restraint against the accused, which was partially upheld, and the court determined that house arrest would be the chosen measure.

Notice: The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a legally binding court verdict as stipulated by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia.