Gjilan in mourning: Three family murders, 53-year-old father suspected of killing his 29-year-old son

Gjilan is facing a serious wave of domestic violence, as three murders have been recorded recently. Two people lost their lives on Friday from gunshot wounds, while another tragic episode occurred on Sunday in the village of Pogragjë in this municipality.

The Arifi family was struck hard on Sunday evening, when a 29-year-old man lost his life from gunshots. The suspected perpetrator of this murder is the victim’s father, a 53-year-old, who remains unreachable by police.

While the young man’s body was undergoing an autopsy, the family’s house was opened to visitors who came to share the grief. Relatives say that neither the victim nor the suspect had previously had problems with any third party, and that the entire event has left them speechless.

“He is my relative, my cousin. He never had any problems. Even his brother cannot tell us anything about any conflict. But so it was written. For now we have no information. His car was found in Kukaj, near the border, while nothing is known about the father,” said Fadil Rexhepi, a family member.

According to the Kosovo Police report, two rifles, one pistol, 68 rounds of ammunition, and 4 shell casings were seized from the scene, while the search for the suspect’s capture continues.

The Special Prosecution also confirmed the data about the event, saying that the 53-year-old, for reasons still unknown, caused the death of his 29-year-old son.

The prosecution emphasized that both persons had no criminal record nor previous reports of domestic violence.

Following these episodes of violence, the Municipal Council for Community Safety convened urgently in Gjilan. The mayor of the municipality, Alban Hyseni, declared that he has requested the strengthening of police controls against unauthorized weapon possession, as well as an increased police presence in schools, with the aim of protecting children’s safety.