Lorraine Williamson
A man was shot in the leg on Saturday afternoon in the underground car park of a supermarket on Calle Gerona, located in the Cruz de Humilladero district of Málaga city. The incident occurred in broad daylight, further fuelling concerns about rising street-level violence across the Costa del Sol.
Emergency services confirmed the victim was transported to hospital by a passing driver before paramedics arrived. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots and alerted authorities via emergency number 112. Numerous local residents also stated that two helmeted men on a motorbike were seen fleeing the scene, though this has not yet been confirmed by the police.
The Policia Nacional cordoned off the area and found evidence of gunfire. Investigations are ongoing, and the motive behind the attack remains unknown. So far, no arrests have been made.
Surge in shootings across Málaga province
Saturday’s shooting was the latest in a growing number of gun-related incidents across the region. According to police sources, April alone saw five separate shootings along the Costa del Sol.
On 2 April, a man in his thirties opened fire in the Carretera de Cádiz district of Málaga. Four people were injured, though only one was believed to be the intended target. The other victims were bystanders. The suspect was arrested within 48 hours and is now in custody, facing charges of attempted murder.
Later that month, a separate shooting in the Portada Alta neighbourhood also left a man hospitalised with a leg wound. Authorities have since linked that case to a family dispute. Of the five suspects arrested, only one remains in prison.
Targeted killing in Mijas and other incidents
One of the most serious incidents took place in Mijas, where a young British man was gunned down in what appears to be a targeted hit. The gunman reportedly waited for the victim to arrive, concealed his identity, and then fired at least ten shots at close range. Police believe the killing is tied to organised crime and drug trafficking.
Within days, further violence erupted in Estepona, where firearms were used during a conflict between squatters. No injuries were reported. In another disturbing case in Mijas Costa, a decomposed bound body was found while clearing rural land. Authorities are currently cross-referencing missing persons and kidnapping reports to identify the victim.
More recently, a 27-year-old man in Málaga was targeted in a separate incident related to a personal dispute. The gunfire missed its intended victim, but the case added to a growing list of similar attacks.
Organised crime expanding across Costa del Sol
Law enforcement and police unions continue to express concern over the apparent ease with which criminals are obtaining firearms. The Sindicato Reformista de Policías has stated that guns are increasingly being used as a “tool for protection and success” in criminal disputes, with the black market thriving.
Mijas is now believed to host more criminal groups than Marbella and Estepona. According to police experts, the Costa del Sol has become a strategic base for transnational organised crime, thanks to its favourable climate, strong infrastructure, and access to international transport networks.
Criminal networks operating in the region include groups from Eastern Europe, Sweden, Latin America, and Morocco. The Moroccan-Dutch “Mocro Mafia” remains one of the most active, vying for control over drug routes, human trafficking operations, and weapons trading.
Ongoing investigation into latest shooting
As of now, the motive behind Saturday’s supermarket car park shooting remains unclear. Authorities have not ruled out connections to organised crime, nor the possibility of further arrests. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and speak to witnesses.
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