NICOSIA – A man from Nicosia was gunned down outside his shop in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Betting shop owner Neophytos Christoforou, 45, was gunned down in cold blood by what police suspect were two assailants on a motorbike. Christoforou, who was with employees outside the shop entrance – situated close to the Ayios Antonios market - when the killing took place, was rushed to Nicosia General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries during an emergency operation. Two employees of the shop suffered minor injuries and were released shortly afterwards.
The getaway bike was later located, according to Police Spokesman Andreas Angelides.
“At around 2.30am, a high-powered motorbike was discovered in flames on the Nicosia-Limassol road just shy of the University of Cyprus. The bike had been reported as stolen to the police last February in Limassol. It is highly likely that this was the bike used in the murder”.
He added, “Forensics have examined the scene and various people have been brought in for questioning. We are confident that the culprits will be eventually located.”
The same betting shop, continued Angelides, had in the past been searched by Nicosia CID on suspicion of illegal gambling and the owner had been questioned.