Killing of 20-Year-Old in Korçë/Joan Zuko’s Mother Announces Farewell Ceremony and Pens Heartfelt Tribute to Her Son

The mother of 20-year-old Joan Zuko, Ornela Zuko, has announced the date and time of the final farewell ceremony for her son, who was killed in Korçë on the afternoon of August 8 by his friend, Kristjan Sterjo.

In a moving message, she said the family had decided that the final farewell for Joan would be held on August 11 at 12:00.

The 20-year-old’s mother also dedicated several heartfelt words to her son, describing him as her greatest love and the most precious part of her heart.

“With a shattered heart and the greatest pain a mother’s soul can bear, and unable to respond to all of you, we announce that on August 11 at 12:00, we will bid a final farewell to my little boy, the light of his mother’s eyes.

My son, you will forever remain my breath, my greatest love and the most precious part of my heart. Mommy will never forget you and will carry you in her soul until her final breath. Rest in peace, Mommy’s angel,” Ornela Zuko wrote.

HOW THE EVENTS UNFOLDED

Joan Zuko, 20, was shot dead in Korçë following a dispute with Kristjan Sterjo, who was arrested after several hours of searches by police and RENEA forces.

Following his arrest, Kristjan Sterjo gave his testimony to the investigative team regarding the motive behind the serious incident. The young man revealed that the dispute between them was linked to several previous episodes, while one of the factors suspected of having led to the escalation was the harassment of the alleged perpetrator’s girlfriend.

In addition to this dispute, however, investigators are also considering previous clashes between the two young men, who are suspected of having argued over claims about who was the “toughest” in the neighborhood.

According to information from the investigation so far, the alleged perpetrator and the victim had a verbal altercation several days before the incident. Both sides are suspected of having clashed and harassed one another, causing tensions between them to escalate.

THE PLACE WHERE THE 20-YEAR-OLD WAS KILLED

The situation then took another turn. According to the perpetrator’s testimony, on the day of the incident he took the gun and went after the 20-year-old, shooting him once in the back, a wound that proved fatal for Joan Zuko.

The dispute, which is suspected of having begun over trivial motives, starting with claims over who was considered the neighborhood’s “tough guy,” was later accompanied by harassment, insults and repeated clashes between the two young men.

The confrontation ended tragically with the killing of 20-year-old Joan Zuko, while Kristjan Sterjo fled the scene and was arrested by police forces near his home about six hours later.

Sterjo had been hiding in an area near the city cemetery but left to head toward his home. It was at that moment that police spotted him and immediately moved in to arrest him.

The investigative team is continuing its work to fully establish how the incident unfolded, while the alleged perpetrator’s testimony and the evidence collected are expected to help determine the circumstances and the precise motive that led to the serious crime.