UC Berkeley marketing professor killed by gunman in Greece in broad daylight

Police in Athens are investigating the fatal shooting of a University of California Berkeley professor who was visiting Greece for a family custody hearing.

Przemyslaw Jeziorski, 43, was gunned down on July 4 near his ex-wife’s home in the suburb of Agia Paraskevi. The economist and marketing professor at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Authorities said a masked assailant approached Jeziorski on foot around 4:15 p.m. and opened fire at close range. Police spokesperson Konstantina Dimoglidou confirmed that the gunman shot Jeziorski in the neck and chest.

Investigators found seven bullet casings from a 9mm firearm at the scene. Police have launched a full murder investigation but have not yet identified a suspect.

According to a senior police source, authorities are considering several possible motives. These include a family dispute and the potential for a contract killing. The source, who spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity, said investigators are not ruling out involvement from people close to the victim.

The timing and location of the killing—just a day after Jeziorski attended a custody hearing—have intensified public scrutiny.

Eyewitnesses told local media that they saw a man in black approach Jeziorski and fire six or seven shots. The suspect then fled on foot. Police said Jeziorski had no criminal record in Greece.

Jeziorski’s family and friends are calling on Greek authorities to intensify their investigation. “Our family is heartbroken, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that justice is served,” wrote his brother, Łukasz Jeziorski, on a fundraising page.

The family is raising money to repatriate Jeziorski’s remains to his native Poland and cover legal expenses in Greece.

UC Berkeley released a statement mourning the loss. “He had a passion for teaching,” the university said, noting that Jeziorski taught over 1,500 graduate and PhD students during his 13 years there.

“He was an amazing person, friend, and colleague,” said Jenny Chatman, dean of Berkeley’s business school. “My heart goes out to Przemek’s family and loved ones. We will miss him.”

Colleagues described Jeziorski as both intellectually brilliant and deeply compassionate. “He was a loving father of two young children and always there if someone needed help,” said Berkeley professor Zsolt Katona.

Jeziorski specialized in marketing analytics, industrial organization, and the economics of digital markets. He developed a popular MBA course at Berkeley and published widely in top academic journals, including the American Economic Journal and the RAND Journal of Economics.

He also co-founded Keybee, a short-term rental property management startup.

Born in Poland, Jeziorski earned a PhD in economic analysis from Stanford University. He also held master's degrees from the University of Arizona and the Warsaw School of Economics.

Before joining UC Berkeley, he served as an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University and as a visiting scholar at Microsoft.

His global research focused on financial inclusion and supporting low-income entrepreneurs. “He was truly adventurous and made a great impact on people’s lives,” said one colleague.

Greek authorities have yet to release further updates. As of this week, no arrests have been made. The investigation remains ongoing.

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