An 82-year-old man and his 57-year-old son were killed in an armed ambush in northern Albania on Sunday afternoon as they were returning to their home in the Gruda area of Shkoder, authorities said.

The victims were identified as Prelë Gjoni, 82, and his son, Lekë Gjoni, 57. A third man traveling with them, Lazër Bashi, was wounded in the attack but is reportedly out of danger, according to the Trauma Hospital.

The shooting is believed to have taken place at around 4 p.m. on a road in the village of Xhan, in the remote and mountainous Dukagjin region.

According to preliminary findings, two unidentified assailants ambushed the vehicle and opened fire with automatic weapons. More than 50 shell casings were recovered at the scene, while investigators believe two firearms were used — a Kalashnikov and an MP5.

The vehicle carrying the three men was hit by a large number of bullets.

Police and prosecutors are investigating the circumstances and possible motives behind the attack. Family members have told investigators that neither Prelë nor Lekë Gjoni was known to have been involved in conflicts and that they were unaware of any previous threats against the two men.

The father and son had traveled to their former home in Dukagjin the previous day, where they also kept beehives. They were returning to their residence in Gruda when they were allegedly targeted on the road.

Investigators are examining several possible lines of inquiry, including the personal and professional life of the 57-year-old victim.

One of the leads being checked concerns Gjoni’s divorce from his wife around three months ago. The couple had four children. Investigators have so far found no concrete evidence linking the divorce to the shooting, and the possibility remains only part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities are also examining Gjoni’s recent work and contacts. He worked with a truck and, according to information gathered by investigators, had recently transported construction materials for a house in the village of Gjuraj in Dukagjin.

Gjoni also operated an excavator, working alongside another local resident. Investigators are now looking into his recent activities, business dealings and the people with whom he had been in contact.

The identities of the attackers and the motive for the killings remain unknown. The investigation is continuing as authorities work to reconstruct the attack and determine whether the victims had been specifically targeted.