One dead, one injured in shooting in Märjamaa Parish, Estonia
On Friday, a 72-year-old man was killed and a 70-year-old woman seriously wounded in a shooting at a farmstead in Märjamaa Parish, Rapla County, Estonia. A 73-year-old suspect was detained in Jüri.
A shooting at a farmstead in Märjamaa Parish, Rapla County, Estonia, on Friday, 16 October, left a 72-year-old man dead and a 70-year-old woman seriously wounded. Police detained the 73-year-old suspect in Jüri, in Harju County, after he had left the scene. A criminal case has been opened for murder.
Police response
Police received a report at around 18:00 that two people had been shot at in Märjamaa Parish, and it was treated as a top-priority call. Heleri Vesik, a patrol officer with the Central Estonia unit, said the shooter's identity was known, so the search and arrest effort began immediately. Police established that the man had driven off towards Tallinn. At about 19:00 police patrols detained him in Jüri, and a weapon was found on him.
Victims and investigation
Despite first aid, the 72-year-old man could not be saved and died at the scene. The seriously wounded woman was taken to hospital. Police are working at the scene and collecting evidence. Vesik said the motives will be determined during the investigation, but it is already known that the shooter and the victims knew each other.
The suspect has no firearms permit or legally held weapon, and the origin of the weapon used is being established. The case is being investigated by the Lääne District Prosecutor's Office. Prosecutor Keili Tiirik said prosecutors will ask the court to remand the suspect in custody initially for two months, and that the precise circumstances and legal assessment will be established during the investigation.
