Madman angry over end of extramarital affair kills lover, her husband and two other relatives.
TIRANA, Jan. 8 – A 39-year-old man has been arrested after he shot and killed four people in a village in southeastern Korca district, police said. Media reported the ending of an extramarital affair had preceded the shootings.
Bashkim Latollari shot dead Beliman and Daniela Mecollari, a married couple of 31 and 30 respectively, as well as the woman’s uncle and his wife, Rexhep and Valentina Mecollari, 59 and 53. The shootings took place in two homes 500 meters apart. The younger couple was killed in front of their young children, police said.
Latollari told police he killed them after Daniela had not agreed to divorce her husband and marry him instead.
The murders shocked the area, one of Albania’s quiet corners, and the whole country.
Latollari had a long criminal history and had been accused of murder in the past. He had served prison time for another crime.
He handed himself over to police, who said the shooting involved a weapon he was keeping illegally.
Latollari told police the older couple was shot because it was them who had convinced Daniela not to divorce her husband.
Before he committed the murders, he had spent several hours drinking at a local bar, police said.
