A shooting in Poprad leaves two children hospitalised

Though there are several problems in the borough, it has never resulted in a shooting.

Illustrative stock photoIllustrative stock photo (Source: Sme )

Two small Roma children had to be taken to Poprad hospital after somebody shot them in the town’s borough of Matejovce. The doctors had to remove bullets from their legs.

The case is already being investigated by the police, the TVnoviny.sk website reported.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

“The police launched a criminal prosecution for the crime of bodily harm,” said Daniel Džobanik, spokesperson for the Prešov police, as quoted by the regional Korzár daily. “Since the investigation is underway we cannot provide more details.”

Problematic borough

One of the reasons for the attack might be the problems between the inhabitants of the Matejovce borough, where numerous Roma live. The locals are often complaining about noise and problems caused by children.

SkryťTurn off ads

However, the situation has never escalated to the point that somebody would shoot them, said Poprad’s spokesperson Marián Galajda.

The town’s representatives have recently adopted several steps to prevent problems. Apart from the municipal police, the local civic patrol is active in the borough. In case of need the state police can also come in and address situations, Galajda told the TASR newswire.

The attack was criticised by Government’s Proxy for Roma Communities, Ábel Ravasz.

“I don’t want to generalise, but I cannot be blind to the parallel between the approach of the majority towards the Roma,” he wrote in a Facebook post, adding that it is up to us to find the best way how to learn to live beside one another. “If we divide in two groups and approach one another impersonally, I’m afraid that the number of such radical ‘solutions’ will increase.”

SkryťTurn off ads

He is sure that a similar approach will not solve any problems.

Top stories

A supporter of Russia during one of the so-called "True march for peace" events.

News digest: Some bad news stories from Slovakia

Hints of Russia winning information war in Slovakia, interview with new Foreign Affairs Minister, and an event for book lovers.


13 h
Jupiter (centre) and its Galilean moons: from left Ganymede, Io, Europa and Callisto. Juice with deployed antennas and arrays is in the bottom right.

From Košice to Ganymede: Slovak engineers are leaving their mark in space

Slovaks are active participants in two ongoing space missions.


20. may
Miroslav Wlachovský.

MFA Wlachovský: Slovaks would be surprised by what Russians say about us

The new head of Slovak diplomacy, Wlachovský, explains what he wants to accomplish.


18 h
Marian Kočner arrives in court in Pezinok, western Slovakia, on May 19, 2023.

Slovak court's verdict in Kuciak case leaves 'bitter taste'

Zsuzsová was found guilty of masterminding the murder of the journalist, but the judges could not find any direct evidence linking Marian Kočner, a subject of Kuciak's stories, to the murder.


21 h
SkryťClose ad