Police sources have confirmed to 3CatInfo that the deceased victim of the incident on Balmes street in Barcelona was a Serbian national. According to some media outlets, the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan Police) identified him thanks to fingerprint data held in the Interpol database, linking him to a wanted notice from the police in Belgium.
The identity of the shooter, who fled the scene towards Plaça Gal·la Placídia, remains unknown. The weapon used and a bicycle helmet were abandoned under a bus stop.
“"It is always difficult to catch hitmen."
In an interview with "El matí de Catalunya Ràdio", the Minister of the Interior, Núria Parlon, has framed this case as a possible revenge between organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking. Parlon indicated that they are working under the hypothesis that the six firearm homicides recorded this year in Catalonia are linked to this illegal business.
The minister expressed concern that criminal elements who previously used bladed weapons are now opting for firearms for intimidation, stating that they "cannot establish themselves and consolidate in Catalonia".
For this reason, Parlon has insisted on the need to amend legislation to toughen penalties for illicit possession of firearms, "so they do not feel impunity" and to improve police efficiency. The government's proposal suggests increasing the maximum penalty from two to five years in prison, thereby guaranteeing entry into a penitentiary center. It also proposes increasing the penalty for large-scale marijuana cultivation and trafficking, from 1-3 years to 6-9 years.
The minister acknowledged that these changes to the Penal Code will require negotiation with parliamentary groups in the Congress. In the meantime, police presence, prevention, and investigation will be increased.
