Authorities in Greece are investigating the shocking daylight murder of a University of California, Berkeley professor who was fatally shot while visiting Athens on July 4.
Przemyslaw Jeziorski, a 43-year-old economist and marketing professor at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, was ambushed in a quiet residential area just outside the city center.
According to police reports, the gunman approached Jeziorski on foot around 4:15 p.m. in the suburb of Agia Paraskevi—near the home of his ex-wife—and opened fire at close range, striking him multiple times in the neck and chest. Seven 9mm shell casings were recovered from the scene.
Jeziorski was in Greece to visit his children and attend a custody hearing scheduled the day before the attack. Authorities have confirmed that he had no criminal record in the country.
“There was no silencer on the gun, it was very loud. It was like an explosion,” one eyewitness told CNN Greece. Another reported hearing at least six shots and seeing the masked assailant flee the scene on foot.
Police spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglidou described the attack as a targeted execution. “All scenarios are being examined—including close family members,” a senior law enforcement official told CNN anonymously. Officials have also stated the killing bears hallmarks of a contract hit, prompting them to investigate possible ties to organized crime.
As of now, the shooter remains at large, and Jeziorski’s loved ones are demanding that authorities intensify their efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice.
“Our family is heartbroken, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that justice is served,” wrote his brother, Łukasz Jeziorski, in a fundraising campaign to cover repatriation and legal costs. The funds will also help support ongoing investigations in Greece.
Jeziorski, a Polish native, was widely respected in academic circles. During his 13-year tenure at UC Berkeley, he taught marketing analytics to over 1,500 graduate and doctoral students and helped develop a popular MBA course in the field. He was known for his research in quantitative marketing, digital economics, and industrial organization.
“I am heartbroken by news of the tragic and sudden death of Professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski,” said Jenny Chatman, dean of the Haas School of Business. “He was a beloved member of our community. While authorities are investigating what happened, our focus is on supporting our students and faculty during this difficult period.”
Colleague and fellow professor Zsolt Katona remembered Jeziorski as “a loving father of two young children” and “an adventurous, energetic presence in the academic world.” He added, “He had great influence on the marketing field not only through his research but through his optimism and willingness to help others.”
Jeziorski previously held roles at Johns Hopkins University and as a visiting scholar at Microsoft. He earned his PhD in economic analysis from Stanford and held master’s degrees from the University of Arizona and the Warsaw School of Economics.
As the investigation unfolds, the academic world mourns the loss of a gifted professor whose life was cut tragically short.
To help the family raise funds for legal fees, the repatriation of Przemek’s remains to Poland, and related expenses, please visit their donation page here.
