Else Beekman
A spate of six shootings across the province of Málaga in just over a month has left one person dead, several injured, and authorities warning of growing impunity among criminal groups. Notably, half of the incidents occurred within the city of Málaga, though none took place in the northern districts traditionally associated with such violence.
The Spanish Confederation of Police (CEP) acknowledged growing public concern over the frequency of these events and stated they feel unsurprised by the trend. “We’ve seen these kinds of incidents for years, often linked to family-based criminal networks involved in drug trafficking and territorial disputes,” a spokesperson said.
According to the national police union, the spate of shootings highlights the ease with which organised crime groups acquire firearms on the black market, including military-grade weapons, and the brazenness with which they operate. Despite effective police investigations, the CEP argues that both Málaga city and the western Costa del Sol urgently need more specialist officers and increased street patrols. “More agents in specialised units would make a significant difference, as would enhanced preventative controls,” the union added.
Marbella rocked by two shootings in 24 hours
Shooting timeline
The wave of violence began on 2 April in Málaga city’s Carretera de Cádiz district, when a man opened fire during a personal dispute in calle Gaucín. Three innocent bystanders were injured. The suspect, identified from the outset, surrendered to police two days later. He remains in custody under investigation for attempted murder, three counts of attempted homicide and illegal possession of weapons.
Two weeks later, on Maundy Thursday, a brawl between two families escalated into gunfire in calle Papamoscas, in the Portada Alta neighbourhood. Gunfire wounded one man, and the fight injured another. Police arrested five suspects, but the court remanded only one in custody.
Violence flared again early on Good Friday — this time in Marbella. A 34-year-old man was shot in the vicinity of a nightclub on Avenida del Príncipe Salman.
Execution-style killing in Mijas
On the evening of 21 April, a masked man shot and killed a 32-year-old British national in the Sitio de Calahonda urbanisation in Mijas. The Guardia Civil is treating the killing as a gang-related execution. Shortly after the shooting, officers discovered a burnt-out vehicle nearby containing a firearm.
The following day, another gun incident occurred in the Cancelada area of Estepona, reportedly linked to the illegal occupation of property.
Supermarket car park ambush
The most recent incident took place last Saturday in the underground car park of a supermarket in the Cruz de Humilladero district of Málaga city. A Spanish man was injured and later admitted to a private hospital with gunshot wounds to his leg and arm.
Investigators believe drug trafficking motivated the attack and suspect it involved a “vuelco”, a violent robbery between rival narcotics traffickers. Security camera footage shows four people, including the victim, arriving and leaving in two cars and a motorbike. The shooting occurred around 6:00pm, with several emergency calls reporting gunfire.
By the time police arrived, all suspects had fled. Witnesses described one man limping, apparently injured. Hours later, a local hospital notified police of a patient matching the description.
Ongoing investigations
Málaga’s Drugs and Organised Crime Unit (Udyco) is now leading the inquiry into Saturday’s shooting. Investigations continue into the series of incidents. Meanwhile, police unions are calling for reinforcements and a stronger security presence to deter further violence.
Source: La Opinion de Malaga
Marbella becomes backdrop for shootings