Else Beekman
Two separate shooting incidents in Málaga during the Easter period—one in the city and another in Marbella—left two men injured and have led to multiple arrests. The events have fuelled mounting concerns over gun-related violence on the Costa del Sol.
Shooting near Marbella nightclub
In the early hours of Good Friday (18 April), a man was shot outside a nightclub on Calle Príncipe Salman in Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Emergency services were called at approximately 4.30 am after witnesses reported gunfire and saw the suspect flee by car.
The injured man was taken to the Costa del Sol Hospital for treatment. National Police officers, supported by forensic specialists, attended the scene to collect evidence and launch an investigation.
Arrests following daytime gunfire in Málaga
A day earlier, on Maundy Thursday (17 April), gunshots rang out in the Portada Alta neighbourhood of Málaga around 3.00 pm. Residents reported a violent confrontation on Calle Papamoscas, within the Cruz de Humilladero district, involving multiple individuals.
One man suffered a gunshot wound and was briefly hospitalised at the Regional Hospital. Another was injured in a related brawl, believed to have stemmed from a family dispute. Forensic teams examined the scene while police pursued those involved.
Five individuals arrested
Five individuals—four men and one woman, all from the same family—were arrested in connection with the incident. According to police sources, they are expected to appear before a judge on Saturday (19 April). Investigations are still ongoing.
This was the second known shooting in Málaga city within a month. The earlier case took place in the Carretera de Cádiz district on Calle Gaucín, where four people were wounded. The suspected gunman, aged 30, was detained following a two-day manhunt. He remains in custody, facing charges including attempted murder, attempted homicide, and unlawful possession of weapons.
Investigations ongoing, no known connection
Police have not confirmed any direct connection between the two recent firearm incidents. Both are being treated as separate cases, and authorities continue to work on identifying motives and those potentially involved.
Pattern of gun violence along the Costa del Sol
These events add to a growing number of firearm-related attacks reported along the Costa del Sol in recent months. On 7 December 2024, a man was shot dead near the beachfront in Mijas. On 12 August, another man was fatally shot during an unauthorised party at a squatted villa in Estepona. And on 26 December, two men narrowly avoided injury in a shooting in Benalmádena’s Torrequebrada area.
While the exact motives differ, police suspect that several of these incidents are tied to ongoing disputes between criminal groups. The increase in armed violence has sparked concern among local communities and security forces.
The Costa del Sol grapples with rising violence