In a shocking incident in the city of Pleven, a 19-year-old man was shot by a police officer after the driver of a vehicle failed to comply with a police signal to stop for a check. The young man was admitted to the hospital for treatment, and the law enforcement officer involved was suspended from duty, according to the District Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Pleven.
The incident took place in the early hours of June 6 on “Georgi Kochev” boulevard in Pleven. Police officers signalled a car to stop, but when they approached the vehicle to conduct a check, the driver accelerated and fled the scene at high speed. In response, a police officer fired shots, resulting in an injury to a back seat passenger, the 19-year-old man who was later admitted to the hospital for treatment.
The police officer who shot the young man now faces the possibility of 2 to 10 years in prison, as announced by the district Prosecutor’s office in Pleven on June 7. The officer, an employee of the Criminal Police, has not been detained as he has cooperated with investigators and is not considered a flight risk. The victim underwent surgery and is now out of life-threatening condition.
Following the incident, families and friends of the young people involved gathered outside the hospital to protest, demanding transparency and fair punishments. Caretaker Minister of Interior, Kalin Stoyanov, condemned the actions of the police officer, describing them as incompetent, unprofessional, and inadequate. He assured the boy’s father that those responsible would be held accountable.
„In my opinion and that of the team of people I work with here, this is a completely incompetent, inadequate, and unprofessional response by police officers. I spoke to the father of the injured boy. I told him that we in no way tolerate the behavior of the police officers. Those involved will bear their responsibilities,“ said Kalin Stoyanov, caretaker Minister of Interior.
The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about police conduct and use of force. An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and to ensure accountability for those involved. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of proper training and protocols for law enforcement officers to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.