Tragedy during a family celebration: A serviceman shot a man in Karavelovo

17.07.2025 | Bulgaria

In the small village of Karavelovo, a criminal drama unfolded when a celebration for a newborn ended with a fatal incident, in which a drunk soldier killed a young man with an air rifle during a family gathering.

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The Military District Prosecutor's Office in Plovdiv has begun a thorough investigation of an extraordinary criminal case that shook the tranquility of the Karavelovo village in Karlovo. The incident, classified as a murder with increased public danger, was committed with an air rifle during a family celebration.

According to initial police data, around 2 AM on July 17, 2025, a signal was received on telephone 112 about an extraordinary incident. Officers arriving at the scene discovered a shocking picture - a young person shot during a celebration at a private property.

The forensic investigation revealed the dramatic sequence of events. During the gathering, a 30-year-old serviceman demonstrated an air rifle to the present guests, and at a certain moment fired a shot. The pellet from the weapon hit a 23-year-old man directly in the chest, who died on the spot just minutes after the incident.

Additional checks revealed that the perpetrator was clearly intoxicated. The technical alcohol test recorded an extremely high concentration of 1.7 per mille, which significantly exceeds the permissible norms for legal capacity.

Immediately after the incident, the serviceman was detained for 24 hours in accordance with the provisions of the Military Police Act. An official charge of intentional murder under aggravating circumstances is pending.

Initial information indicates that the air rifle was legally registered, but additional checks and documentation requests are forthcoming. The Military District Prosecutor's Office will conduct a thorough investigation of all circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

The case has caused strong public interest and shock in the local community, where such incidents are extremely rare. The investigation continues in full force, with additional details and official statements from the competent authorities expected.