The Catalan capital has been shaken by a series of violent incidents involving firearms, making shootings a disturbing reality. The latest incident occurred this Wednesday morning when a man was shot in the back outside a National Police station on Balmes street. The assailant fled, but security camera footage from the Mossos d'Esquadra may aid in his identification. The murder weapon was later found at a nearby bus stop.
This latest fatal shooting adds to three others recorded since mid-April. On April 14, a man died five days after being shot on a terrace on Passeig de Taulat in the Sant Martí district. Investigators link this case to a war between Serbian mafias. The other two fatalities occurred due to firearms in Carrer de la Mineria, in the Zona Franca, in incidents potentially related to drug trafficking. One man was shot dead on June 7, and another three weeks prior, on May 16, on the same street.
On April 24, a man was seriously injured by multiple gunshots in the Sants-Badal neighborhood, on Sugranyés street. The attacker, who fled on an electric scooter, shot the victim as he was leaving a shop. There have been no reports of this injured individual's death.
“"Barcelona is lost, criminally. We demand drastic changes in the legislative, political, police, and prison spheres."
Mossos d'Esquadra unions have expressed their "concern" over the rise in armed violence. They are calling for more resources and attention to this phenomenon, warning of an increase in insecurity within the city. Unions like SAP-ME and USPAC are demanding urgent measures and profound changes in security policies.
These incidents are part of a pattern of violence dating back to the previous year, with murders linked to organized crime and drug trafficking. In addition to shootings, Barcelona has also seen knife attacks, such as the death of a man on Carrer de la Cera on May 3, allegedly at the hands of a minor, and another fatal stabbing in Plaça de Meguidó on April 18.
