More surveillance cameras planned for Kohtla-Järve after fatal mass brawl

Estonian police continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 21-year-old man in Kohtla-Järve on the evening of September 13, when a conflict involving several people broke out in a garage cooperative area on Endla Street. Four suspects have already been taken into custody, while a fifth, Roman Vazemyagi, described by investigators as having played one of the key roles in the conflict, remains wanted.

According to Nikita Golovin, head of the Jõhvi police station, the dispute originated at an entertainment venue in Narva, after which the parties agreed to meet and settle things. Investigators are currently examining several versions of events and trying to reconstruct what happened minute by minute. Around 30 people were reportedly present at the scene, including minors — by Thursday, at least nine underage witnesses had been questioned.

During searches, police seized several objects that could have been used as weapons, though authorities stressed these were not firearms but items merely resembling weapons; forensic examination will determine their exact nature. Maarja Germann, lead prosecutor at the Viru District Prosecutor's Office, said the main task now is establishing each suspect's specific role and actions leading to the death, based on witness accounts, since each bystander only saw fragments of the confrontation.

Garage owners in the area described the incident as highly unusual for Kohtla-Järve, saying they had never heard of a mass brawl involving shooting and a fatality there before, although occasional thefts do occur at the cooperative. A local resident active in the community, who works in private security, said similar tensions have existed in the city for years but rarely attract this level of public attention.

Despite the high-profile case, police noted an overall downward trend in calls related to fights and public order violations. Kohtla-Järve Mayor Evelin Danilov said the city is considering installing additional, more modern surveillance cameras in significantly greater numbers than currently exist. Police also urged residents to report conflicts early, before they escalate into serious incidents.