Dukagjin ambush leaves father and son dead

Authorities are investigating a double homicide in the Dukagjin region of Albania, where Prelë Gjoni, 82, and his son, Lekë Gjoni, 57, were killed in an organized ambush. A third passenger, Lazër Bashi, was seriously wounded in the attack.

The victims were traveling in an SUV from the village of Mgull toward Shkodër when two armed individuals opened fire near the village of Xhan. Investigators report that over 50 bullets were fired from two automatic Kalashnikov weapons, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The attackers reportedly fled in a separate SUV, which was later found burned several kilometers away.

Police are currently pursuing two primary investigative leads: family conflicts involving the divorce of Lekë Gjoni, and illegal drug cultivation activities in the Dukagjin area.

Lazër Bashi, the sole survivor, suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder. After the attack, he had to traverse approximately two kilometers of difficult mountainous terrain to find a signal and call for help. Following significant blood loss, he was transported from Shkodër to a trauma hospital in Tirana, where he is currently reported to be out of life-threatening danger.