Increased police presence was deployed this morning in the Roma neighborhood of Asenovgrad following mass tension between representatives of two local families. The confrontation, which took place overnight, attracted the participation of approximately 300 people from both groups and led to minor injuries and arrests.
Air rifle shooting and throwing of objects
According to police data, about "300 people" participated in the conflict, representing two families who were facing each other on the street. There was no direct hand-to-hand combat between them, but the participants threw various objects at each other and at those nearby.
During the tension, a total of "12 people" were "shot with an air rifle". They received minor superficial injuries, were examined by medical teams, and were subsequently released. One "law enforcement officer" was also slightly injured during the incident.
112 emergency call and police response
The incident occurred around "1 o'clock in the morning", when a report of a conflict between a group of people in the neighborhood was received on the 112 emergency line. Police teams were immediately dispatched to the scene.
The mass clash took place in front of a police patrol, which caused the police leadership to describe the participants' behavior as "bold and cynical". Despite the presence of law enforcement, some of the people continued to throw objects and use the air rifle.
Previous violations and individuals with criminal records
Already on Friday, the same two families disturbed public order in the neighborhood. At that time, the police "detained two" people and pre-trial proceedings were initiated for "threat of murder". In response to the tension, the teams deployed a patrol car in the area and increased surveillance, but the mass public order violations were not stopped.
After the latest clash overnight, a "total of 4 people" were "detained". In addition, three more participants were identified for whom detention is being prepared. All those involved are "known to the police" (have criminal records), and most of them have "prior convictions". The cause of the conflict is described as "interpersonal opposition" without a specific reason, but with accumulated tension between the families.
Illegal structures and living conditions
The commissioner leading the operation adds that the two families live in residential buildings with different statuses. Some of them are "municipal property", but the others have no official status – they are "illegal structures". This further complicates the work of the institutions when they have to respond to both public order violations and urban planning issues.
Enhanced measures and stabilization of the situation
In response to the situation, additional police and gendarmerie teams were deployed in the neighborhood this morning. The "Zonal Gendarmerie Directorate" also arrived at the scene, whose task is to assist in restoring public order and preventing a new escalation of the conflict.
The police assure that at the moment "the situation is calm" and there is no evidence of further tension between the two families. Work continues to clarify all the circumstances surrounding the incident – identifying the participants, specifying the role of each of them, and gathering evidence for future judicial actions.