Civil Guard investigators are probing the shooting death of a 33-year-old Ukrainian man whose body was discovered Tuesday afternoon in a garage in the Cala area near La Vila Joiosa. The scene prompted a rapid mobilization of authorities to determine what happened in this marina community within Marina Baixa.
Initial assessments by responders suggested the victim may have sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Early estimates varied among sources consulted for this report, with some indicating as many as a dozen impacts. An autopsy will establish the exact number of shots and confirm the wounds observed at the scene.
The Civil Guard sent experts to the area to resolve the case quickly, linking this incident to a spate of violence that has drawn attention in the region. This follows the earlier case of Rocío, a woman allegedly stabbed by her partner in nearby l’Alfàs del Pi, which has heightened security concerns in the coastal district.
vehicle on fire
Investigators later located a burning vehicle in the vicinity of El Campello. A neighbor reported seeing a person flee the scene after the homicide and later observing the body in the garage area, fueling early theories about the sequence of events surrounding the crime.
Reports indicate that the shooting began in the lower level of the garage, but the body was found on the ramp leading to the first floor. Authorities believe the victim attempted to escape but was unable to reach safety and collapsed on the upper ramp as the assailant pursued him.
The discovery occurred around five in the afternoon, when emergency services reported seeing a body on the ramp of the underground garage on Marinada Street in La Cala, within the municipality of La Vila Joiosa. The scene prompted a full-scale response from public safety teams to secure the location and begin the investigative process.
violent crime protocol
Police units from the Civil Guard and local authorities were dispatched to secure the area, with health workers on standby as a precaution. Upon arrival, the victim was confirmed dead. The Civil Guard activated its protocol for violent crimes and alerted the appropriate authorities. Night Court in La Vila Joiosa coordinated with forensic police and the Criminal Science Laboratory to gather evidence and conduct examinations at the scene.
The urbanization where the incident occurred comprises five towers of 40 homes each, and neighbors described a community with a mix of full-time residents and vacation homeowners. Several residents stated they did not recognize the victim and suggested he appeared to have been staying at the property only recently. One neighbor recalled seeing the man in the days leading up to the incident but could not confirm his residence status.
Residents commented on the area’s demographic makeup, noting a significant presence of foreign nationals, including people from Eastern Europe. In addition to the gunfire, residents reported hearing additional shots inside the two-story garage but did not witness the events in full. One neighbor expressed shock at the violence, saying the neighborhood was shaken and fearful. A couple described the scene as they discovered that access to the property had been restricted while the vehicle was cordoned off for examination.
A local resident who witnessed part of the sequence described how the events unfolded: the witness and others initially thought there was an accident in the garage, perhaps a collapse, before realizing the gravity of the situation. This account reflects the confusion that often accompanies such sudden, violent events in familiar settings.
As investigators continue, the community awaits further details that will emerge from the autopsy, digital evidence, and on-site examinations. The case highlights the ongoing need for safety and vigilance in residential areas where a mix of residents and visitors can complicate the early stages of violent crime inquiries.