Vladimir Bruçi shooting: Suspect’s testimony revealed: “He insulted me!” Security camera dispute suspected as the cause

New details have emerged from the investigation into the shooting and wounding of Vladimir Bruçi in Shkodër, an incident for which 70-year-old Pjerin Bitani has been arrested.

According to preliminary investigation findings, the conflict between the two neighbors is suspected to have started over security cameras installed in Bruçi’s parking area.

Bitani, who had a business establishment near the parking area, had complained that the cameras were pointed toward his premises and not only at the area they were supposed to monitor.

According to the statement Bitani gave to police, the confrontation between the two neighbors continued on a section of road near the establishment, where the situation escalated following a verbal argument.

Investigation sources said that the 70-year-old claimed Bruçi had insulted him in the presence of family members who were at the establishment. It was precisely at that moment, according to his version of events, that Bitani pulled out a gun and fired in Bruçi’s direction.

Vladimir Bruçi was wounded in the shooting and transported to Shkodër Regional Hospital, while authorities said he is out of danger.

Initial reports said that two shots were fired at him, while one of the bullets also damaged a vehicle parked near the scene.

After the incident, Pjerin Bitani left the scene of the conflict and hid for several hours in the “Rus” neighborhood. Police carried out numerous searches to locate him, while negotiations with the 70-year-old’s family members began in parallel. Following these negotiations, Bitani surrendered to police and was subsequently arrested on charges of “Intentional Murder,” remaining at the attempted stage, as well as “Unauthorized possession and production of weapons, explosive weapons and ammunition.”

Another element being investigated is the weapon used in the incident. According to information provided by investigation sources, Bitani claimed that he threw the weapon away while fleeing, but did not specify its exact location. Despite police searches, the weapon has still not been found.

Meanwhile, as part of the investigation, the security cameras suspected of having caused the dispute between the two neighbors are also expected to be examined. Police are working to seize and officially process their footage, which could help establish the sequence of events in the conflict and the moment when the shots were fired.

Vladimir Bruçi is not an unknown name in Shkodër crime reports. In June 2024, he was assaulted in the same area following a dispute over a parking space, and the Shkodër Court sentenced three people in connection with that incident.

The investigation into the new incident is continuing under the direction of the Shkodër Prosecutor’s Office, while Pjerin Bitani’s statements and the physical evidence, including the camera footage and the recovery of the weapon, are expected to help fully clarify the circumstances that led to Vladimir Bruçi being shot and wounded.