Nika Kapanadze, who was detained over the murder of a 17-year-old boy and the shooting of three other people in Vera, has been formally charged at the clinic.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, Kapanadze was charged with intentional murder committed under aggravating circumstances, attempted intentional murder of three people under aggravating circumstances, attempted assault on a police officer, and unlawful carrying of a firearm.

The Prosecutor’s Office said it would apply to the court within the timeframe established by law to request pretrial detention for the defendant.

According to the investigation, Kapanadze got into a verbal altercation with four young people on Shanidze Street. They got into a car and attempted to leave the scene, at which point the defendant fired several shots in their direction. One of the victims later died in hospital.

The Prosecutor’s Office also explained the circumstances of Kapanadze’s arrest. According to the agency, police officers arrived at Kapanadze’s residence to conduct investigative and procedural measures. When officers ordered him to comply with their lawful demands, the defendant allegedly threatened law enforcement officers and, immediately after opening the door, attempted to take their lives using firearms in his possession. He was unable to carry out his intent after police officers disarmed him.

“The investigation conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs established that at approximately 9:35 p.m. on July 22, 2026, in an open public space near 31 Akaki Shanidze Street in Tbilisi, the defendant, Nikoloz Kapanadze, got into a verbal altercation with four young people. During the altercation, the aforementioned individuals got into a vehicle and attempted to leave the scene, at which point Nikoloz Kapanadze, with the intent to kill, fired several shots in their direction from a GLOCK 34 GEN 4 firearm in his possession, which he was unlawfully carrying. As a result, three young people sustained gunshot injuries. One of them, Nikoloz Ghunashvili, died at a medical facility from a gunshot wound incompatible with life. Two young people survived after receiving medical assistance. Through the same act, Nikoloz Kapanadze endangered the lives and health of other people present at the scene, one of whom, a woman, sustained a gunshot injury to the head.

“At approximately 12:06 a.m. on July 23, 2026, police officers arrived at the residence of the defendant, Nikoloz Kapanadze, located at 31 Akaki Shanidze Street in Tbilisi, to conduct investigative and procedural measures. When police officers ordered the defendant to comply with their lawful demands, he allegedly threatened the law enforcement officers and, immediately after opening the door, attempted to take their lives using the GLOCK 34 GEN 4 and ARMALITE SPR MOD 1 firearms in his possession. He was unable to carry out his intent after law enforcement officers disarmed him.

“Law enforcement officers detained the defendant on July 23. He was charged under Article 109(b) of the Criminal Code of Georgia (intentional murder using a means that deliberately endangers the life and health of others); Articles 19 and 109(b) and (l) (attempted intentional murder using a means that deliberately endangers the life and health of others, against three people); Article 236, Part 4 (unlawful carrying of a firearm and ammunition); and Article 19 and Article 353¹, Part 3 (attempted murder of a police officer in connection with the officer’s official duties),” the statement said.

The charges carry a sentence of up to 20 years or life imprisonment.