A 50-year-old owner of Nikos OM woodworking company, Nikolajs Kirilovs, was murdered in Jurmala near the exit to the beach, not far from Dzintary Concert hall on Monday, June 25. The police have suspicions that it was a contract killing.

According to LETA agency, the man was returning from the beach along with his 24-year-old girlfriend, when an unknown man fired several rounds from his pistol in their direction.

The man died from his wounds on the spot, his girlfriend was delivered to a hospital.

The police have two theories on what happened: the murder could be linked either to the victim’s professional activities, or to his personal life. It is reported that the victim was, allegedly, involved in cigarette smuggling; he also owned a cigarette production plant in Latgale. However, this information is still due for confirmation.

The other theory is related to the victim’s personal life: specifically, his love life.

The man was shot four times, but only one bullet hit his head. This made the investigators question the shooter’s skills; therefore, it could not have been a contract killing. The weapon is not found, but the police believe that the shots were fired from a TT pistol. Criminal Police of the Riga Region Police Department is investigating this case. Police operatives have no detailed information to report at this time.

Some time ago, the media reported that Kirilovs was a witness in the November 15, 1999 attempt on the life of Maris Millers, who was involved in alcohol business. The attempt took place at the Daiļā impērija bar. Kirilovs was became a witness because he was sitting at the same table with Miller at the moment of the assassination attempt.

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