Lithuania’s former police chief calls paramedic killing ‘hard to comprehend’

Lithuania’s recent high-profile crimes—including the murder of a paramedic in Panevėžys and school violence in Marijampolė—have shocked the public, though overall security has improved over the past decade, former police commissioner Vytautas Grigaravičius said in an interview with LRT Radio’s Svarbus pokalbis on Saturday.

Speaking about the paramedic’s killing, Grigaravičius called it “a crime that defies common sense” and expressed difficulty understanding how such violence could occur in Lithuania. “It’s tragic for the family—those children will carry this psychological trauma for life,” he said.

The former commissioner noted that while violent crimes of this nature remain rare, their severity makes them particularly disturbing. He suggested the incident may have stemmed from a personal dispute, possibly involving revenge or a financial settlement, though he cautioned that investigations were ongoing.

Grigaravičius also addressed broader concerns about public safety, including recent corruption cases and allegations involving politicians. While emphasizing the presumption of innocence, he acknowledged that such cases “cast a shadow” over individuals and institutions. He added that law enforcement agencies were actively pursuing leads, some of which remain non-public.

On school violence, Grigaravičius criticized an education system where teachers often hesitate to intervene due to fear of parental complaints. “Some parents, especially mothers, are overly aggressive in defending their children, which can discourage educators from addressing problems,” he said.

During his tenure as police chief, homicides were more frequent, he noted, but stressed that Lithuania’s security situation has generally improved in recent years.