A video revealing what happened on a bus in Koropi on Sunday morning, involving a 51-year-old assailant who later stormed the local police station and injured three officers with a screwdriver, has been published by Proto Thema.

In the security camera footage, an altercation can be seen at the front of the bus as the 51-year-old attacks a man around 35 years old. According to the bus driver’s testimony, the assailant struck the victim twice in the head and once in the neck.

In the following seconds of the video, the 51-year-old is captured exiting the bus without showing any signs of distress. He is seen holding something in his hand and making his way toward the police station, located approximately 700 meters from the bus stop where the initial attack took place.

The Testimony of the Bus Driver

Describing what happened on the bus, driver Panagiotis Chalatsis recounted, “The perpetrator was sitting in the back seats when he saw his first victim preparing to exit at a stop.”

“At that moment, he walked toward the middle door, turned to the victim, and stabbed him twice in the head and once in the neck (the attack was carried out with a screwdriver),” the driver continued.

According to him, the 51-year-old “didn’t say a word to his victims. I opened the doors to let the other two passengers out while I called the police and emergency services.”

When asked about the mental state of the 51-year-old, the bus driver responded, “He exited the bus as if he were just another passenger and walked the 700 meters to the police station.”

The Perpetrator and His Past Encounters with Authorities

The 51-year-old, who is reportedly known to the authorities for previous incidents involving theft and verbal abuse, was in a highly agitated state. Initial reports suggest he suffers from psychiatric issues.

Among the injured police officers was the head of the Koropi police station, who is believed to have sustained a more serious head injury.

Police officers from the DIAS motorcycle unit quickly arrived at the scene and ordered the suspect to surrender. However, when he refused to comply, officers fired at him to subdue him.

Early reports indicate that the DIAS officers shot the man in the leg to immobilize him.

Calls for Reinforcement of Police Stations

At the scene in Koropi, Christos Sindreveilis, vice president of the Greek Police Federation (POASY), stated, “Our colleagues responded immediately, preventing a worse outcome. We were lucky that he was holding a screwdriver and not another weapon or firearm. Police stations need urgent reinforcements. Frontline services must be strengthened immediately.”

Similarly, Ilias Drentas, president of the Union of Police Officers of Southeastern Attica, commented:
“Unfortunately, every day proves that we go to work without knowing if we will return alive. Police stations in Southeastern Attica are operating with just 30% of their required personnel strength.”