Marbella Witnesses Sixth Shooting of the Year
Marbella has experienced its sixth shooting incident this year, with the second one occurring in April. The latest incident took place at the Guadalmina commercial centre, where one individual was injured by multiple gunshots on the evening of Saturday, 13 April.
Victim Rushed to Hospital in Serious Condition
The victim, a 34-year-old Albanian national, was immediately taken to the Costa del Sol regional hospital in a critical condition, as confirmed by National Police sources. The shooting occurred at 9.40pm in the Pan y Chocolate Restaurant, situated at the entrance of the shopping centre in this upscale residential area of Marbella, near the A-7.
Police Investigation Underway
National Police officers are currently investigating the incident, with no arrests made so far. This is not the first time the Guadalmina commercial centre has been a crime scene. Last October, three masked men fired several shots, injuring two individuals before escaping in what appeared to be a score-settling incident.
‘Plan Marbella’ Launched to Combat Rising Crime
This recent shooting comes just days after the initiation of ‘Plan Marbella’, a special operation by the National Police to tackle organised crime and other issues, particularly in light of the increasing number of shootings in recent months. The plan involves officers from the police intervention unit (UIP) and the prevention and reaction unit (UPR), as well as dog units and aerial support, all aimed at enhancing security in the area.
Marbella’s Rising Crime Rate
Before Saturday’s incident, Marbella had already witnessed five shooting incidents in recent months, resulting in three injuries and significant damage to a business since February. The most recent incident occurred on 2 April, when a gunfire outbreak in the early morning hours alarmed residents of the Los Naranjos residential development in Nueva Andalucía, where four such incidents have been recorded.
Unresolved Mystery Surrounding Recent Shooting
According to a video, a struggle ensued moments before the shooting, where two individuals attempted to seize a sports bag. The contents of the bag remain a mystery to investigators, as per sources close to the case.
