A 43-Year-Old UC Berkeley Professor Killed in Greece by Masked Attacker
A 43-year-old associate professor from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Przemysław Jeziorski, was fatally shot by a masked gunman in an Athens suburb, reports said. The incident occurred on July 4, when Jeziorski was heading to pick up his children from his Greek ex-wife, with whom he was involved in a custody dispute. According to Greek news outlet Ta Nea, the professor was traveling to the area for a court hearing regarding custody of his children. The attack occurred at close range, with the professor suffering injuries to his chest and neck. The Greek news website also reported that the perpetrator is still at large, as police continue their investigation.
The professor’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief from the academic community. Jennifer Chatman, the dean of Haas School of Business, expressed her condolences, stating, ‘I am heartbroken by the tragic and sudden death of Professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski, a beloved member of our marketing faculty and Haas community.’ She added that the university’s focus is on providing support to the community during this difficult time. Other colleagues, including Haas professor Zsolt Katona, also mourned the loss, highlighting Jeziorski’s contributions to marketing and economics through his research on topics such as mergers and acquisitions and search advertising.
Jeziorski’s brother, Łukasz Jeziorski, shared the family’s anguish in a post on a European crowdfunding website, stating that the incident was a ‘terrible crime’ and that the perpetrator remains at large. He also called for support in fundraising to cover legal fees, the repatriation of Przemek’s remains to Poland, and related expenses. ‘Our family is heartbroken, and we are doing everything we can to ensure that justice is served,’ he said. The professor was described as a ‘loving father to two young children’ and a ‘beloved professor at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.’
Jeziorski’s academic background included roles at prestigious institutions such as the University of Arizona, Johns Hopkins University, and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. His research focused on areas such as quantitative marketing, industrial organization, and applied microeconomics. He was known for his expertise in mobile money and search advertising, contributing significantly to the field. His death has prompted a wider discussion about personal safety for scholars abroad, especially in regions where crime rates have increased in recent years.
The incident has also come to light amid a broader context of violence in the region, as highlighted by recent news of a congressional intern killed in a Washington, D.C. shooting. These events have sparked concerns about the safety of individuals in public spaces and the challenges posed by unconnected acts of violence. As authorities continue their investigation, the academic community mourns the loss of a respected scholar whose contributions will be remembered and honored.