A fatal shooting in the Gjashtë area of Saranda has left local businessman Rexhep Ismaili, owner of a fuel station, dead after he was shot in the head during what authorities are treating as a targeted attack. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening and has triggered an intensive police operation as investigators work to identify and apprehend those involved.
According to information emerging from the scene, the victim and the suspected gunman are believed to have had a previous conflict. Preliminary reports indicate that the suspected attacker arrived armed at Ismaili’s fuel station, where the businessman was reportedly sitting inside the business premises with several other individuals.
Sources from the scene state that the suspect allegedly opened fire with a handgun, targeting Ismaili directly. The businessman was struck in the head and died at the scene as a result of the injuries sustained in the attack. Witness accounts suggest the shooting happened within seconds, leaving those present in shock.
Moments after the attack, individuals who were inside the premises reportedly reacted immediately. According to initial accounts, a weapon described as an automatic firearm was brought out from behind the bar area, and multiple shots were allegedly fired toward the fleeing suspect. The exchange of gunfire reportedly created panic in the area, turning the business location into what witnesses described as a war-like scene.
Despite the armed response from people connected to the victim, the suspected shooter is reported to have escaped the scene. Police have since launched a large-scale investigation, focusing both on the main suspect and on identifying all individuals who may have used firearms during the incident.
Investigators are currently collecting evidence from the crime scene, reviewing witness testimonies, and working to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to one of the most serious violent incidents reported in Saranda in recent months. Authorities have not yet released official details regarding arrests or the identity of the suspected gunman.