Bio

Alexandros Schinas was born in the 1870s in Serres, a town in Greece. He grew up in Volos, a city on the coast. Not much is known about his childhood or family background. However, as he grew older, he became deeply interested in political ideas, especially anarchism.

In his early adulthood, Schinas lived in New York City. He worked in the pantry of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. During his time there, his coworkers remembered him as someone who loved to read about socialism and anarchism. He spent many nights discussing political ideas with people who shared his views. Schinas was against all forms of government, particularly monarchies and aristocracies.

Returning to Greece, Schinas started an anarchist school in his hometown. This school aimed to teach others about his political beliefs. However, the Greek government closed it down because they disagreed with its teachings. Two leaders of the school were sent to prison, but Schinas avoided arrest. The authorities carried away many books and pamphlets that promoted his ideas and criticized the king.

Murder Story

On March 18, 1913, at around 5:15 PM, Alexandros Schinas shot King George I of Greece in the back. This event took place in Thessaloniki, near the White Tower. Schinas shot the king from just two steps away, hitting him below the shoulder blade. The bullet went through the king's heart and lungs and exited through his stomach. By the time the king reached the hospital, he was already dead.

Schinas was arrested immediately after the shooting. Initially, he did not talk about why he committed the crime. When an officer asked if he had any pity for his country, Schinas replied that he was against governments. Schinas remained calm during the incident, which led some people to question his mental state.

Later, Schinas claimed that he killed the king because he had asked for money and was refused. The Greek government, however, described him as an alcoholic vagrant. During the night after his arrest, Schinas was tortured and forced to undergo examinations, but he did not reveal any accomplices.

On May 6, 1913, Schinas allegedly committed suicide by jumping out of a police station window in Thessaloniki. There are theories suggesting that he may not have jumped willingly but could have been pushed by the police. Various motives for his actions circulated after the crime, including political influences from neighboring countries, but there is no evidence to support these theories.