I strongly condemn the brazen armed attack that took place in the Merdzavan settlement of the Parakar enlarged community, as a result of which the head of the community, V. Grigoryan, and his friend were killed, Republic of Armenia (RA) Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan wrote on Facebook.

“Another injured person is in critical condition.

I extend my condolences to the relatives of the deceased and the beloved people of Parakar. I wish the injured person a speedy recovery.

The RA law enforcement officers are obligated to quickly identify all those involved in the crime.

Also, the question of what preventive actions should have been taken to prevent a series of violence in Parakar, who should have carried out these actions and why they did not, should be subject to a detailed analysis.

Necessary conclusions will be drawn from this analysis,” Pashinyan added.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that on Tuesday at 11:52pm, the Police of Armenia received a call that shots were fired on the Yerevan Highway in Merdzavan village of Armavir Province; there are two casualties and one injured. One of the deceased is the head of Parakar enlarged community, Volodya Grigoryan.

The second person killed is a police officer, Karen Abrahamyan, an employee of the Ararat Province Criminal Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He was not on duty at the time of the murder; he was a friend of Volodya Grigoryan.

The incident took place right in front of Volodya Grigoryan’s house. One person was injured as a result of the shooting, but information about his identity is not yet known.

Regarding the incident, the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ spokesperson Narek Sargsyan noted: “One person approached and fired shots at them, then fled. Measures are now being taken to find him.”

There are cameras at the scene of the murder, which, according to Sargsyan, have been confiscated.

Before the local government elections in Parakar, on February 5, a murder took place in Merdzavan. An attack was carried out on the house of the administrative head Mher Akhtoyan, as a result of which the Akhtoyans' cousin's son, 29-year-old Grigor Ohanyan, was killed, and a family friend was injured. Volodya Grigoryan's brother, 37-year-old Paykar Grigoryan, was detained within the framework of the criminal case.

When asked whether there is any information that today's murder was a vendetta and is related to the murder that occurred months ago, the press secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs said: "All versions are being discussed. After the mentioned incident, various people were arrested in Merdzavan, weapons and ammunition were confiscated. For now, I will refrain from disclosing other details."

There are cameras at the scene of the murder, and, according to Sargsyan, they have been taken possession of.

Before the local elections in Parakar, on February 5, a murder had taken place in Merdzavan village. An attack was carried out on the house of village head Mher Akhtoyan, as a result of which the Akhtoyans’ cousin, Grigor Ohanyan, 29, was killed, and a family friend was injured. Volodya Grigoryan’s brother, Paykar Grigoryan, 37, was arrested within the framework of the respective criminal case.

When asked whether there is any evidence that today's murder was a vendetta and is related to the aforesaid murder that occurred several months ago, the Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson said: "All theories are being discussed. After the noted incident, various people were arrested in Merdzavan, weapons and ammunition were confiscated. For now, I will refrain from disclosing other details."