A 43-year-old man with a criminal record has surrendered to police in Ondarroa after being sought for the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old taxi driver in Azpeitia. The Ertzaintza continues its investigation into the high-profile case.
The man suspected of killing a 31-year-old taxi driver in Azpeitia turned himself in to police in Ondarroa, ending a days-long search that drew intense attention across the Basque region. The 43-year-old suspect, already known to police for earlier drug offenses, arrived at the Ertzaintza station at 5:30 a.m. and was detained on suspicion of homicide with a firearm.
The shooting happened Tuesday evening on Avenida Artzubia. Witnesses said the attacker first rammed his car into the victim's taxi, then fired several shots at close range. The taxi driver died at the scene. News of the killing left the local community stunned and prompted a rapid police response.
Within hours, police found the suspect's getaway car elsewhere in Azpeitia. Both his car and the victim's taxi were seized and sent to the forensic unit for examination. The Basque Department of Security said these vehicles are key to the investigation as officers work to piece together what happened and collect evidence.
Police searched several locations in Azpeitia and nearby towns over the following days, including a workshop in the Landeta neighborhood, a premises on Pablo VI street, and a residence linked to the suspect. Despite these efforts, the man remained at large until he surrendered in Ondarroa.
The suspect has three previous arrests for drug trafficking. With his surrender, the focus now shifts to the judicial process as investigators prepare the case for court. The Ertzaintza says all necessary legal steps are underway before the suspect appears before a judge.
The case has highlighted the risks taxi drivers face and the difficulties of policing violent crime in smaller towns. The quick deployment of forensic teams and the scale of the search show how seriously Basque authorities treat such incidents. Similar investigations, like those reported earlier in other parts of Spain, point to the ongoing need for coordinated law enforcement.
While the immediate threat ended with the suspect's arrest, the broader concerns remain. Shootings like this are rare in the Basque Country, but when they happen, they reveal gaps in local security and the need for fast police action. The Ertzaintza's response in this case shows both their operational ability and the ongoing challenges of preventing targeted violence. As the investigation continues, its outcome may shape future policing strategies and public perceptions of safety in the region.
