Bloody Night in Abovyan: 3 Seriously Injured After Clash

On the night of October 11, a bloody incident was recorded in the city of Abovyan in the Kotayk region. Around 01:00, an argument that broke out in the area adjacent to building 20 on Hanrapetutyan Street escalated into an armed clash and a brawl, as a result of which three people were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan, working from the scene, presented the details of the incident. According to him, around 01:30, the police received a call from the "Surb Grigor Lusavorich" medical center that a 29-year-old resident of the Kotayk region, Khanamir H., had been brought to them with a diagnosis of "gunshot wounds to the chest and right arm." Doctors informed law enforcement that the injured person was in the operating room and unable to give an explanation.

Hours later, two more calls were received from the "Abovyan" medical center. First, it was reported that a 34-year-old resident of the Kotayk region, Andranik V., had been hospitalized with a diagnosis of "a cut and stab wound to the anterior abdominal wall." Shortly after, the same hospital reported that another victim, a 39-year-old resident of the Kotayk region, Vahe V., had been brought to them with a diagnosis of "cut and stab wounds to the left lumbar region." According to the doctors, the last two victims are also in extremely critical condition, are undergoing surgery, and were unable to provide any information about what happened.

Law enforcement agencies have taken large-scale actions in connection with the incident. An examination of the scene revealed blood-like traces, spent cartridges, a knife, a rosary, and a mobile phone. As reported to "1lurer.am" by the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia, criminal proceedings have been initiated in the Kotayk regional investigative department under several serious articles at once. The proceedings were initiated under Article 44-155, Part 1 (attempted murder), Article 167, Part 2, Point 8 (causing moderate bodily harm), Article 297, Part 2, Point 1 and Part 3 (hooliganism), and Article 335, Part 1 (illegal circulation of weapons and ammunition) of the RA Criminal Code. The combination of these articles indicates the particular danger of the incident.

Forensic ballistic, genetic, and medical examinations have been appointed as part of the preliminary investigation. As a result of the operational measures taken by law enforcement, there is already one person arrested for committing hooliganism.

The preliminary investigation is ongoing. Urgent procedural and evidentiary actions are being carried out to identify all participants in the incident and to reconstruct the full picture of the crime.