The Latvian citizen Viktor Konopeļkins, who was involved in a shootout and later died in Lithuania today, is suspected of murdering a woman and a young man earlier this week in the Pļavnieki district of Riga, the LETA news agency has learned.
According to a statement from the State Police, on the 9th of July in the afternoon, officers received information that two deceased individuals had been found in an apartment in Pļavnieki, both showing signs of a violent death — a young adult male and his mother had been shot.
Police immediately launched an investigation and began efforts to apprehend the possible perpetrator. Initial investigative actions revealed that the crime had occurred the previous day, on the 8th of July.
Authorities were able to identify the suspect and the vehicle he was using. It was also discovered that he had left Latvia by car, prompting both national and international search operations. Information was shared with all European Union member states.
Lithuanian police tracked the suspect’s vehicle within their territory and began an arrest operation
today, which resulted in a high-speed chase and the use of firearms. The operation was coordinated with Latvian authorities.
The State Police report that the suspect was armed, resisted arrest, and fired several shots at Lithuanian officers. No officers were injured, but the fleeing suspect’s car caught fire during the incident, and the individual inside died. A police vehicle also burned in the process.
The deceased sustained severe injuries, so identification will require forensic examination. However, initial evidence suggests the deceased is the wanted individual suspected of the double murder in Latvia.
A criminal investigation has been launched under the section of the Criminal Law that covers aggravated murder. Forensic examinations have been ordered, and the motives for the crime are under investigation.
The suspect had previous convictions but had not been in the view of Latvian police over the past decade.
The investigation is ongoing, and Latvian police have stated that they will not provide further details at this time.
It was previously reported that on Thursday in southern Lithuania’s Alytus District, following a shootout with police, the body of the suspect — Latvian citizen Viktor Konopeļkins — was found near the scene of the incident.
According to the Alytus District Police Headquarters, around 10:00 AM, they received a report that a “Porsche” vehicle had illegally crossed the Lithuanian–Polish border in the Lazdijai area.
Preliminary information indicated that the vehicle was driven by Konopeļkins, born in 1964, who was suspected of committing serious crimes and was armed.
During the pursuit, a shootout occurred. The suspect’s car and a police vehicle both caught fire. Initially, police believed the suspect had escaped and was hiding. Large police forces were deployed, and later, officials confirmed that the suspect’s body had been found.