Suspect's car found as Čakovec shooting investigation intensifies

Authorities in Čakovec, Croatia, are conducting an intensive manhunt for a suspect believed to be responsible for a shooting that critically injured two men early Thursday morning. The incident occurred around 4:03 AM in the parking lot of a nightclub. The victims, aged 22 and 28, were transported to the Čakovec County Hospital with severe injuries and are reported to be out of life-threatening danger following surgery.

According to eyewitness accounts, the altercation began inside the club with the suspect allegedly threatening patrons with a knife. The conflict escalated outside into a brawl involving multiple individuals before the suspect reportedly produced a firearm and opened fire. Nenad Vidanec from the Department of Anesthesiology at the hospital confirmed the severity of the injuries, noting that the 28-year-old sustained a hematoma from a gunshot wound, while the 22-year-old required intensive care for two gunshot wounds and underwent surgery.

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We received two young people, one aged 28 and one aged 22. The 28-year-old was admitted to the Department of Abdominal Surgery with an injury to the right lumbar region, with a hematoma due to a gunshot wound. The 22-year-old was admitted to our intensive care unit, with serious injuries. He has two gunshot wounds, one to the left thigh, and the other to the right lumbar region. Surgery was performed during the night, he is stable and out of danger, and the other young man will probably have further surgery during the day.

Radovan Gačal, spokesperson for the Međimurje Police Administration, stated that the identity of the attacker is known, and police are pursuing all leads. The suspect has a history of criminal activity, with prior charges filed by the police. Authorities are not ruling out the possibility that the suspect may have fled the country, potentially crossing into Bosnia and Herzegovina. All police departments and border crossings have been alerted to aid in the search.

Following the discovery of the suspect's vehicle, the search efforts have been concentrated in the vicinity of the Josip Slavenski Gymnasium in Čakovec. Police are actively searching nearby buildings and the surrounding area. The investigation aims to gather all details surrounding the event and apprehend the perpetrator as quickly as possible.

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The identity of the attacker is known. We have established all the circumstances of the event and are carrying out intensive search measures. All police administrations in the Republic of Croatia have been informed about this event. We are taking measures primarily aimed at finding the attacker, but also at gathering all additional circumstances of this event. I can say that the police have previously filed criminal charges against the attacker.