A man was fatally shot in the upscale Costa del Sol resort of Puerto Banús in front of shocked British holidaymakers. The 25-year-old victim was targeted at close range while sitting at a cafe terrace, smoking a cigarette, and talking on his mobile phone. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the assailant, disguised as a tourist in a baseball cap, approaching the victim and firing multiple shots even after he fell to the ground.
The wounded man was taken to Costa del Sol Hospital but succumbed to his injuries despite medical efforts. Police have confirmed the arrest of a 38-year-old man in connection with the shooting. Authorities from the National Police in Malaga stated that the investigation is ongoing, and no further details can be provided at this time.
Law enforcement refrained from disclosing the nationalities of the victim and the suspect. Unofficial local sources suggest that both individuals may hold Swedish passports, with conflicting reports on the gunman’s background, some identifying him as Afghan-born.
The incident occurred around 1:30 pm local time in a busy Puerto Banús area frequented by tourists, including UK golfers enjoying the renowned coastal courses. The perpetrator is believed to have arrived by car before carrying out the attack. Despite initial reports that the victim survived multiple gunshots and was hospitalized, he later passed away at around 8:15 pm local time.
Recent summers have witnessed a surge in shootings in Puerto Banús and its vicinity, prompting intensified police actions during high tourist seasons. These operations have included raids on exclusive clubs following complaints from locals about escalating violence in the area. Notably, in June of the previous year, Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland was involved in a police raid at a Marbella beach club.
Violence linked to Swedish contract killers has contributed to a surge in criminal activities across Europe, particularly in regions like the Costa del Sol and Marbella, known as the “United Nations of Crime.” Notable arrests of hitmen in Sweden and Marbella followed bomb incidents along the coast in October 2018, with law enforcement pinpointing a criminal organization involved in violent acts with explosives.
The “Mocro Maffia” group has also been identified as a significant issue on the Costa del Sol, with a recent arrest involving a 17-year-old Belgian linked to an attempted assassination in Fuengirola. This case marked the first instance in Spain where an underage individual was the primary suspect in a targeted killing.
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