An individual was fatally shot at a popular resort in Puerto Banus, Costa del Sol, in front of stunned British vacationers.
The victim, a 25-year-old man, was shot at close range while sitting at a cafe terrace, completely unaware as he smoked a cigarette and talked on his mobile phone. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the shooter, disguised as a tourist wearing a baseball cap, approaching the victim and firing multiple shots even after the victim fell to the ground.
Despite efforts by medical personnel at Costa del Sol Hospital, the injured man succumbed to his injuries. Law enforcement authorities have confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with the incident.
A spokesperson for the National Police in Malaga, responsible for the Marbella region where the shooting took place, stated, “A 38-year-old suspect has been apprehended in relation to the fatal shooting in Puerto Banús. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are not available at this time.”
Authorities have refrained from disclosing the nationalities of both the victim and the detained individual. Unverified local reports suggest that both the perpetrator and the victim may hold Swedish passports, with some sources describing the assailant as Afghan-born.
The incident occurred around 1:30 pm local time, during a bustling period in Puerto Banús with numerous tourists, including golf enthusiasts visiting from the UK to enjoy the renowned coastal courses and dining options. The assailant reportedly exited a vehicle before targeting the victim. The victim’s demise was confirmed around 8:15 pm local time, following initial reports that indicated he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds but was still alive and undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Recent shootings in Puerto Banús and its vicinity during past summer seasons have prompted significant police interventions, including raids on upscale establishments, amid concerns from locals about the area resembling a lawless environment. In a separate incident last June, Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland was caught in a police operation at a beach club in Marbella.
The footballer was captured on film presenting his identification after law enforcement in balaclavas requested his identity. The operation, which followed Haaland’s public appearances at the beach club, led to the arrest of an individual wanted by Iranian authorities.
Another shooting incident last year at a British-owned restaurant near Puerto Banus resulted in the arrest of a British and Irish individual in April, both linked to organized crime as per police statements. Subsequently, Kerry Katona abandoned plans to relocate with her family, including her then-fiancé Ryan Mahoney, to the Costa del Sol resort, citing safety concerns following the violent episodes in the region.
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