Spanish authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday afternoon in the heart of Crevillent, confirmed by sources from the Alicante Command. A 35-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the knee, and the brother-in-law of the victim, with whom he had a prior dispute, remains at large. Investigators think the suspect may have fled the province. The altercation began when the suspect went to his ex-in-laws’ residence demanding to see his former partner, who holds a restraining order. While initial statements suggest the motive could be linked to gender-based violence, security forces are also examining the possibility of a personal score being settled through violence.
On Thursday around 3:40 p.m., the events unfolded on San Francisco Street in Crevillent. The Civil Guard and the Local Police responded to reports of a gunshot wound. The quarrel appears to have occurred between San Francisco Street and Cayetano Mas Candela Square. Although the victim sustained a single gunshot wound, neighbors were startled by multiple gunfire, prompting authorities to respond. Officers confirmed the victim had a knee injury and was receiving treatment at a health center.
Victim’s Statement
The injured man told the Civil Guard that his brother-in-law fired at him. He claims the suspect went to his parents’ home demanding access to his children; when denied, the suspect shot. The suspect is separated from the victim’s sister and has a restraining order against her. The victim was not at home when the shooting occurred. Reportedly, one of the two minor children was present during the incident. Investigators are assessing whether this was the real trigger for the shootings. Another line of inquiry considers whether the shooter arrived after learning that the partner had just collected money on a debt, aiming to claim his share.
The wounded person is hospitalized and under police protection to prevent retaliation. Likewise, the suspect’s ex-wife is under protection as the search continues. There is a possibility the suspect fled the province to hide. Local and national police units in Castellón received word on Friday afternoon that the fugitive might have taken refuge there. It is believed he has ties to the Perpetuo Socorro neighborhood, an area associated with drug trafficking. Authorities are also checking for the suspect in the Murcia province.
Daimés
Recent gunfire are not isolated in the region this week. The National Police in Elche continues investigating the shooting death of a man in the Daimés district. The victim appears to be a foreign man around 45 years old. His body was found near 11 p.m. on Monday in a location within Daimés’ polygon 3, close to the tennis courts. A witness who was with the man alerted authorities. Police Local and National, along with medical responders, arrived but could not resuscitate him. The case remains under a court secrecy order, but it is known the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The investigation continues under seal.