Double homicide, suicide linked to Golden Dawn shocks Greece

The small town of Gonnoi, near Larisa, is reeling from a tragic double homicide followed by the suicide of the suspect, a 60-year-old man with a known criminal record.

The suspect, who remained barricaded in his woodworking shop for eight hours before ending his own life, had a history of violent offenses, including domestic violence and a prior prison sentence for a bombing attack.

Suspect’s criminal history and political ties

Authorities confirmed that the perpetrator had an extensive criminal background, including a conviction for a bombing attack targeting Turkish drivers in the early 2000s. Additionally, he had previously been reported for domestic violence against his ex-wife in front of their child.

For years, the 60-year-old was a prominent member of the far-right political organization Golden Dawn in Thessaly and had even run as a parliamentary candidate.

In 2014, he appeared alongside convicted Golden Dawn members Ilias Kasidiaris and Ilias Panagiotaros before being expelled from the organization.

He later claimed that party officials found his views too extreme.

The incident: A dispute turns deadly

The fatal incident unfolded on Sunday morning when the suspect called the police, admitting to having killed two men—a delivery worker from Volos and a carpenter from Skiathos—inside his woodworking shop.

The killings were allegedly linked to financial disputes between the suspect and the victims.

Upon arrival, law enforcement officers found the suspect barricaded inside his shop, refusing to surrender. Throughout the standoff, he claimed to have explosives and repeatedly threatened to take his own life.

Negotiators attempted to persuade him to stand down, but after eight hours of tense discussions, the man exited the building, fired a Kalashnikov rifle into the air, and then fatally shot himself with a .38 revolver—the same weapon used to kill the two victims.

Final words and police findings

In an interview with Star TV shortly before his death, the suspect detailed his financial grievances with the victims. He claimed they had defrauded him with fraudulent checks, leading to an escalating dispute.

Police later searched the workshop and discovered an extensive arsenal, including grenades, firearms, and ammunition. Authorities also confirmed that the suspect fired at an officer from Greece’s special forces unit (EKAM) before taking his own life.

Community reactions and ongoing investigation

The local community expressed shock over the killings. A local priest who knew the suspect stated that he had long feared the man would commit an act of violence due to his connections with criminal circles.

“The situation escalated in a way we never expected, but knowing his past, it’s not entirely surprising,” the priest said.

Police are continuing their investigation into the incident, examining the suspect’s criminal connections and the motive behind the killings.