The argument over a mobile phone that ended tragically: Husband killed wife with a shotgun, more details emerge from the crime in Shkodër

The investigation into the killing of Bardhe Ziçi by her husband a day earlier in Shkodër has brought new elements to light. According to Shkodër police, the main suspicions surrounding the incident are linked to jealousy between the couple.

Security camera footage available to police shows that Shtjefën Ziçi asked his late wife for her mobile phone, which led to an argument between them. After this conflict, the 62-year-old went into the house, took the shotgun he legally owned, and fired at his wife, leaving her dead at the scene. The suspect, who is said to be shaken by the incident, has still not given a statement to police, while sources close to the defense say they will insist on the version that the killing was accidental. According to them, Shtjefën Ziçi took the shotgun to clean it and did not know it had cartridges inside, as, they claim, the weapon had been loaded earlier by his wife without his knowledge.

However, based on the footage, witness testimony and preliminary investigations, police continue to believe the motive is linked to jealousy within the couple. In the first moments, before being handcuffed, the suspect told the investigative team at the scene that he did not regret killing his wife, but this remains only a statement made at the moment of arrest and not official testimony. On the other hand, the defense disputes the police’s conclusions about jealousy and maintains that the incident was accidental. Sources close to the family say Shtjefën Ziçi left instructions that all funeral honors be carried out for his wife and that the burial ceremony be organized by his family, where she had married, in line with the traditions of the Dukagjini area, with the aim of showing the victim the utmost respect.

The crime took place at around 13:30 on July 9, on Shkodër’s eastern ring road. After an argument with Bardhe Ziçi in a shop near their home, Shtjefën Ziçi entered the house, took the shotgun and fired twice at her, leaving her dead on the doorstep. The 55-year-old tried to get away to escape the bullets, but the two shots took her life. Shtjefën and Bardha Ziçi are the parents of two children: a son who lives in Canada and a daughter who works as an officer at the military unit in Vau i Dejës.

The suspect worked as a taxi driver using his private car and at the same time was involved in supplying the grocery shop where his wife, who was killed, worked.

The couple were known in the area as quiet and, according to residents, had no previously known conflicts between them. They worked together and had an ordinary life until the moment the killing happened, which shocked public opinion.

Police have seized the murder weapon, a legally owned shotgun possessed by the perpetrator, while Shtjefën Ziçi was arrested immediately at the scene. He did not try to flee, offered no resistance and showed no remorse. Investigators have also collected security camera footage from the area in order to fully clarify the sequence of this serious incident in Shkodër.