Nationwide Manhunt Underway After Armenia's Parakar Mayor and Off-Duty Officer Shot Dead

Hundreds of police officers are working at the scene of the murders of Armenia's Parakar Mayor Volodya Grigoryan and an off-duty police officer, as a nationwide manhunt is underway for the suspected gunman.

There is a heavy police presence in the area, with authorities deploying drones and K9 units to assist in the search, The Caspian Post reports citing Armenpress.

Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson Narek Sargsyan presented new details on the killing of Mayor Grigoryan and off-duty police officer Karen Abrahamyan, who served with the Ararat Regional Police Department.

The shooting also left another person wounded. Sargsyan identified the injured victim as Artsrun Galstyan but did not elaborate.

Sargsyan stressed that the off-duty police officer killed in the attack was a personal friend of Mayor Grigoryan.

He also stated that Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan is personally supervising the investigation from a nearby police headquarters in Vagharshapat.

“We are taking joint actions together with our colleagues from other law enforcement agencies,” Sargsyan said.

All border checkpoints are being monitored, CCTV footage is being reviewed, multiple individuals have been questioned, and other investigative actions are underway to identify and apprehend the suspected gunman.

According to preliminary information, a masked gunman-wearing gloves and armed with an automatic weapon -approached Volodya Grigoryan, Karen Abrahamyan, and another individual as they stood on the street and opened fire.

Police haven't named a suspect or motive yet.