Man arrested while trying to flee north Cyprus following a shooting incident expresses regret

Girne, North Cyprus – A man who allegedly opened fire on a parked vehicle in Çatalköy shortly after arriving in the country has been remanded in custody for three days following a court hearing. 

The suspect, identified as Görkem Mete, was arrested while attempting to flee to Ercan Airport and was brought before the court on Monday morning.

Authorities confirmed that Mete had just arrived in the country on the same day of the incident, 11 May 2025, and proceeded almost immediately to carry out the attack. Police say the suspect fired four shots at a Range Rover belonging to N.İ. (24), a university student residing in Çatalköy.

According to the police statement delivered in court by a Girne Criminal Investigation Department officer, the shooting occurred around 1:00 p.m. on Mersinli Street. Mete allegedly targeted the parked vehicle in the garden of N.İ.’s residence.

Approximately 40 minutes after the shooting, Mete was located inside a taxi and arrested before he could leave for the airport. Upon interrogation, the suspect admitted to discarding the firearm — an Austrian-made Glock pistol — along with the clothes he wore during the attack in a nearby riverbed, all of which were later recovered by authorities and entered into evidence.

Police noted that the Glock pistol is undergoing ballistics testing, and efforts are continuing to determine the motive behind the shooting. While the suspect gave a voluntary statement, the exact reason for targeting the victim’s vehicle remains unknown.

The officer also revealed that the incident marks the tenth case in the past ten months involving a hired gun entering the country to carry out an attack.

Fourth Shooting Incident in northern Cyprus in 2025 

The police prosecutor emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that this is the fourth armed attack to occur during the 2025–2026 judicial term in the Girne District Court’s jurisdiction, underlining the importance of granting sufficient time for thorough investigation.

When given the opportunity to speak in court, Görkem Mete expressed remorse for his actions, saying, "I regret what I did. I wish I hadn't done it."

Citing the gravity of the case and the need for further investigation, Judge approved a three-day remand for the suspect to remain in police custody.