A fatal shooting occurred in the upscale resort of Puerto Banús on the Costa del Sol, shocking British holidaymakers. The victim, a 25-year-old man, was shot at close range while sitting at a cafe terrace, caught off guard while smoking a cigarette and talking on his phone. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the assailant, disguised as a tourist in a baseball cap, approaching the victim and firing multiple shots, even after the victim fell to the ground.
Despite immediate medical attention at the nearby Costa del Sol Hospital, the victim succumbed to his injuries. Police have confirmed the arrest of a 38-year-old man in connection with the shooting. Authorities from the National Police in Malaga, responsible for the Marbella region where the incident took place, stated that the investigation is ongoing and provided limited details at this time.
Law enforcement refrained from disclosing the nationalities of both the victim and the suspect. Unverified local sources suggest that both individuals may be Swedish citizens, with conflicting reports regarding the alleged gunman’s Afghan background.
The shooting transpired around 1:30 pm local time, amidst a bustling Puerto Banús filled with tourists, including golf enthusiasts visiting the renowned Costa del Sol for its golf courses. The perpetrator reportedly exited a vehicle before carrying out the attack. The victim’s death was confirmed at approximately 8:15 pm local time, following initial reports that he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds but remained alive while hospitalized.
Recent summers have witnessed an increase in shootings in Puerto Banús and its vicinity, prompting significant police interventions during peak tourist seasons. These operations, targeting upscale clubs, aim to address concerns from local residents likening the area to the “Wild West.” Notably, in June last year, Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland was involved in a police raid at a Marbella beach club, resulting in the apprehension of an Iranian fugitive.
The surge in violence across Europe, attributed to Swedish contract killers, has impacted regions like the Costa del Sol and Marbella, often referred to as the “United Nations of Crime” due to various criminal factions operating there. Notably, arrests in Sweden and Marbella followed bomb explosions on the Costa del Sol in October 2018, linked to hired hitmen.
Authorities noted the presence of the ‘Mocro Maffia’ criminal group on the Costa del Sol, with a recent incident involving a 17-year-old Belgian operative arrested for allegedly traveling to Fuengirola to carry out an assassination near a cannabis club. This case marks Spain’s first instance of an underage hitman being a primary suspect in a criminal investigation.