Developments are unfolding rapidly in the case of the cold-blooded murder of 21-year-old Nikitas Gemistos in Ammoudara, Heraklion. Following the arrest of 54-year-old Kostas Parasyris, his wife has also been arrested for complicity, while authorities reconstruct step by step the sequence of the ambush and killing.

According to cretalive, the 54-year-old’s wife was brought to the police headquarters and arrested for aiding and abetting, as she is believed to have been in the car with him at the time of the murder.

The main suspect, Kostas Parasyris, had already surrendered to authorities shortly after the killing.

The perpetrator shot the 21-year-old four times, fatally wounding him, and later turned himself in and confessed.

(The victim)

Timeline of the execution

The bloody incident occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 5, in Ammoudara, one of the busiest areas, shocking the local community.

According to witnesses, the 54-year-old had set up an ambush for the young man, whom he considered responsible for the death of his 17-year-old son in a traffic accident in 2023.

The two vehicles met on Andrea Papandreou Avenue, when the attacker, driving a black car, blocked the victim’s red vehicle and deliberately caused a collision to immobilize him.

A heated confrontation followed, escalating within seconds when the 54-year-old pulled out a gun.

(Parasyris’ son)

Chase and barrage of gunfire

The 21-year-old attempted to flee on foot toward nearby accommodation, but the attacker chased him and opened fire.

According to eyewitnesses and audio footage broadcast by Crete TV, multiple gunshots were heard, with the young man sustaining fatal injuries.

The attacker reportedly shot him at least four to five times with a revolver, hitting him both from behind and in the chest, while the final shot was delivered on the road, where he collapsed.

The shooting was captured by a security camera at the scene.

The victim was transported to the University Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI), where his death was confirmed.

Panic in the area and police response

The incident caused panic, with residents and passersby running in fear to protect themselves. Tourists on a passing bus initially thought it was a traffic accident. Police forces and an ambulance arrived immediately, transporting the victim to the hospital. A woman nearby fainted and was hospitalized.

The surrender of the perpetrator

Shortly after the murder, the 54-year-old surrendered at the Malevizi Police Station and was then transferred to Heraklion Police Headquarters, handing over the weapon. The Heraklion Security Directorate is handling the case, collecting CCTV footage and testimonies to fully clarify the circumstances.

Previous attempts

According to reports, this was not the first time the 54-year-old had tried to approach the victim. A similar incident had occurred days earlier without a fatal outcome.

The 21-year-old reportedly feared for his life, knowing the attacker’s intentions, and his family had urged him to leave Crete, which he did not do.

The accident that triggered the killing

Time stopped for the family of 17-year-old Giorgos from Gazi on November 8, 2023, when he succumbed to his injuries in the ICU of Venizeleio Hospital after 19 days of hospitalization following a traffic accident.

His father, Kostas Parasyris, held the 21-year-old driver responsible and had reportedly repeatedly expressed his intention to kill him.

According to neakriti.gr, the victim had frequently received threats from the perpetrator, even involving a weapon, and had filed complaints in the past.

About a year earlier, he had filed a lawsuit after being approached by the attacker wearing a hood and being assaulted.

The attacker is also said to have attempted to kill him again at Christmas 2024, when he was identified by the victim’s sister.

Questions over self-protection and security

The apparent inability of the justice system and authorities to protect the victim raises serious questions and creates a sense of insecurity among citizens.

The case may also reignite debate over carrying weapons for self-defense, especially when individuals face threats, as some argue the victim might have been able to defend himself if he had been armed.