Estepona was shocked by a shooting in the early morning of Saturday. A 33-year-old man was injured. He was rushed to the Costa del Sol hospital in Marbella, as confirmed by the emergency service 112.
The incident took place around 12.30 am in the area of the El Presidente urbanisation. The first reports of the shooting incident were received by the 112 control room at 12.20 am. Several local residents reported hearing shots near the Bel-Air urbanisation on Calle Agave. Shortly afterwards, at 12.30 am, further reports were received in which witnesses reported a shooting incident at the El Presidente urbanisation. 112 reports were also received from the Hacienda del Sol urbanisation.
Research in full swing
Between 8 and 10 war weapon casings were found at the crime scene, sources said. The Policia Nacional has confirmed that the investigation is in full swing but that no arrests have been made so far.
The outbreak of violence on the Costa del Sol seems unstoppable. In recent months, seven shootings have been recorded in the region: five in Marbella, one in neighbouring Mijas and the latest in Estepona. Most shootings in the Costa del Sol are related to drug trafficking and settlements.
Previous incidents
On April 2, a 21-year-old man was hit by two bullets in the Los Naranjos urbanisation in Marbella. Three men attacked the victim during an argument over a bag of drugs. After a thorough investigation, the National Police was able to identify the suspected perpetrators. On May 7, three people were arrested. Among them was a man for whom a European arrest warrant had been issued by the French authorities for membership of a criminal organisation. During house searches in Málaga, Mijas and Marbella, the police found, among other things, a pistol with a silencer, nine kilograms of marijuana and €21,000 in cash.
On April 13, another shooting incident took place in a catering establishment in the shopping centre of Guadalmina, Marbella. A 33-year-old Albanian was hit by ten bullets, mainly in the legs. A doctor present at the restaurant was able to save the injured man’s life. He did this by quickly applying a tourniquet. On May 3, the National Police in Seville arrested two Albanians in connection with this shooting incident. Among them was the suspected shooter. This man had a criminal record for kidnapping and illegal possession of weapons. The other arrestee was the one who lured the victim to the bar.
Responses from authorities
The spiral of violence motivated the mayor of Marbella to ask the Government sub-delegation to consider her city in the centre of the Costa del Sol as a priority. This should also give the local police access to information that is currently only known to the National Police. Despite crime figures in Spain showing a decline in “usual crimes” in Marbella for the third quarter, the mayor insists that the serious incidents in recent months “must be tackled effectively”.
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