Murder of three people and attempted murder of two more: a former priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Zakarpattia has been notified of the charges against him, – National Police. VIDEO+PHOTOS
In Zakarpattia, the police have charged a former clergyman of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) with the murder of three people and the attempted murder of two others
This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine, as relayed by Censor.NET.
What is known
On 15 October at around 4.00 pm, a shooting took place in the village of Vyshkovo in the Khust district. Two men, aged 62 and 64, were killed. Another victim, an 86-year-old woman, died in hospital. Two men, aged 72 and 86, were hospitalised with gunshot wounds.
Police quickly located the shooter and arrested him. He turned out to be a 45-year-old local resident, a former clergyman of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).
According to preliminary reports, the man entered the courtyard of a local resident’s home armed with a gun and fired several shots at the homeowner and his wife. He then went out onto the street and opened fire on passers-by. Investigators are examining a domestic dispute as a possible motive.
Searches and suspicion
It is reported that during searches of the suspect’s home and the grounds of the church where he served, police seized an unregistered IZH-18 hunting rifle, other unregistered weapons, ammunition and a substance preliminarily identified as cannabis. The seized items are being examined by experts. Blood samples were also taken from the detainee to test for alcohol and other substances.
The man has been informed that he is suspected of the premeditated murder of three people and the attempted murder of two others, motivated by hooliganism. The prosecution will insist on him being held in custody without the right to bail.
