The Catalan Superior Court of Justice (TSJC) announced on Saturday that the detainee has been charged with two counts of murder, one related to the dropping of weapons and war ammunition, and another for theft and dangerous driving, along with a fifth charge for forging official documents. The charges reflect a sequence of actions that investigators say occurred in the wake of a fatal confrontation linked to criminal activity in the region.
The events unfolded around 22:30 on a Wednesday evening. According to police, three hooded assailants emerged from a vehicle bearing a Marseille license plate and opened fire on two occupants inside a different car. One person died at the scene, while the second was severely wounded and succumbed to their injuries the following day at the Joan XXIII hospital in Tarragona.
The gunmen fled the scene after their attack, the same vehicle having been stopped by Mossos d’Esquadra in the Mèdol area along the AP-7 highway near Tarragona around 23:10. The dramatic moment of the stop marked a turning point in what investigators described as a coordinated assault.
The 24-year-old driver of the vehicle involved in the incident was arrested at the scene, but the two remaining gunmen escaped on foot. Since that night, Mossos d’Esquadra have maintained a large-scale operation aimed at locating and apprehending the fugitives, utilizing a broad range of resources and tactical measures to close the case.
People familiar with the investigation indicated to EFE that the vehicle involved contained two grenades, short firearms, and an AK-47 rifle, all of which were initially alleged to be intended for use in the killings. The discovery of these weapons has significantly influenced the early stages of the inquiry, strengthening the theory of a violent confrontation rooted in organized crime circles.
The leading theory under police consideration centers on a clash between drug-related organized crime groups. This hypothesis fits the profile of the shooters and the victims, who all appear to be French nationals, and is consistent with the observed modus operandi and the targeted nature of the attack. As investigators work to reconstruct the events, authorities stress that the investigation remains active and fluid, with new information potentially reshaping the trajectory of the case, as reported by officials and corroborated by sources linked to the probe. [Citation: Mossos d’Esquadra statements; EFE reporting on the incident]