The Yambol District Prosecutor’s Office has detained a man identified as T.S. for up to 72 hours on suspicion of causing bodily harm to a five-year-old boy. The incident occurred on October 13, 2025, in the city of Yambol, southeastern Bulgaria.
Prosecutors have charged T.S. under Article 131, paragraph 1, items 4 and 12, in conjunction with Article 130, paragraph 1 of the Bulgarian Criminal Code. The charges qualify the act as bodily harm committed with hooligan motives—a serious offense that may result in imprisonment.
According to investigators, the accused fired an air pistol that struck the child in the neck area, leaving a contusion wound. Medical examinations confirmed that the injury, though classified as minor, was directly caused by the projectile from the weapon.
Authorities have described the assault as unprovoked and carried out with reckless disregard for the child’s safety. “The act demonstrates a clear intent to intimidate and endanger public order,” said a spokesperson for the Yambol District Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecution has announced its intention to request a permanent preventive measure of “detention in custody” against T.S. The court is expected to review the request in the coming days.
Local residents expressed shock and outrage over the violent act, particularly given that the victim was a young child. “It’s terrifying that something like this could happen in our neighborhood,” said one Yambol resident who asked not to be named.
Police sources indicated that the air pistol used in the attack was confiscated as evidence. Experts are conducting ballistic and forensic examinations to confirm the type of weapon and the circumstances of its use.
Prosecutors emphasized that hooligan-related crimes, especially those involving minors, are treated with strict legal consequences under Bulgarian law. Article 131 of the Criminal Code provides enhanced penalties for crimes committed out of hooligan motives or against vulnerable victims.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities gather witness statements and additional evidence to establish the motive and sequence of events leading up to the shooting.
If convicted, T.S. could face a prison sentence, depending on the court’s assessment of intent and aggravating circumstances. The Yambol District Prosecutor’s Office stated that it would continue to provide updates as the case progresses through the judicial process.