On the evening before, in the Sant Martí district of Barcelona on Rambla Prim, a shooting incident took place. An argument broke out on the terrace of one of the bars between the owner and a group of patrons, ending with the use of a firearm. The injured owner was hospitalized and is now in intensive care. According to police, his life is not in danger.
The shooting occurred at around half past nine in the evening in the Besòs i Maresme neighborhood. Preliminary reports indicate that the conflict began as a verbal dispute between customers and the bar owner. At some point, one of those involved drew a gun and shot the man. So far, there have been no arrests in the case, and police are continuing their investigation.
In recent months, Barcelona has seen an increase in crimes involving firearms. Police analysts believe that the rising number of weapons on the streets is linked to a surge in drug trafficking, particularly the expansion of illegal marijuana plantations. Guns purchased to protect such sites often end up involved in other conflicts as they change hands.
This summer alone, the city has seen several high-profile shootings. The most notable incident was the July 15 murder on Consell de Cent, where a mercenary connected to the Montenegrin Kavac clan was shot dead in broad daylight. A few weeks later, on August 3, another participant in criminal disputes—previously part of the “Pink Panthers” group and linked to the Skaljari clan—was wounded in the same neighborhood. Police are investigating these incidents as possible retaliation for the previous killing.
The string of shootings continued in other parts of the city as well. On August 11, a shootout between two groups took place in Zona Franca, resulting in five arrests and at least one injury. On July 31, an unidentified man with a gunshot wound sought treatment at one of Barcelona’s clinics without revealing any details about the incident. A few days earlier, residents of Sicilia street reported gunshots and a car leaving the scene.
At the end of 2024, Catalonia police reported a 23% increase in the number of shootouts compared to the previous year, with a total of 69 such incidents recorded. The number of firearms seized also rose by 14%, reaching 445 units, mostly pistols and shotguns, but some military-grade weapons were found as well. Altogether, 538 incidents involved the use or display of firearms, with 198 of these cases involving real weapons—an increase of 6.8% from the previous year.
Police continue to investigate the recent incident on Rambla Prim and urge residents to remain vigilant. Authorities note that combating illegal arms and drug trafficking remains one of the top priorities for law enforcement in Barcelona.
