Barcelona is facing fresh concern over gun crime after a man was shot dead on Wednesday morning in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. The shooting happened at 09:50 outside a Spanish National Police station on Carrer de Balmes, at the junction with Carrer de Granada del Penedès.

Mossos d'Esquadra confirmed the death was violent and said the investigation remains open. Early reports said the victim was shot in the head, and Catalan police later confirmed that detail. A police officer at the station, which handles national identity documents and passports, reportedly drew a firearm during the incident, but the suspect got away.

The person responsible left the pistol hidden nearby. A woman later found the weapon and alerted police. Mossos d'Esquadra have launched a major operation to find and arrest the suspect, and security camera footage is available.

The shooting took place on a day when the Eixample and Raval districts were under heightened security for a papal visit. For background on wider public safety coverage in the city, see our community coverage and sport updates, which often track how major events affect Barcelona life.

Political leaders reacted quickly. Jordi Martí Galbis, head of the Junts per Barcelona municipal group, said the climate of gun violence in Barcelona is unsustainable. He called for action to dismantle criminal gangs and said asking for more police officers is not enough. Marc Serra, a councillor for Barcelona en Comú, said authorities need to get to the root of the problem, adding that Barcelona cannot normalise three shooting homicides in one month.

Daniel Sirera, leader of the PP municipal group, criticised Mayor Jaume Collboni, along with the socialist leaders Illa and Sánchez, and called for an urgent meeting of all municipal groups at the Ajuntament. This latest case follows other recent shootings in Barcelona, including one in La Marina del Port on Sunday night, where a man was shot dead on Carrer de la Mineria. Mayor Collboni has also called for tougher penalties for firearms offences, saying they should be closer to those in other European countries.

For official updates, see the Mossos d'Esquadra and the Spanish National Police. You can also join our Barcelona English Speakers community on WhatsApp.

Originally published by Tot Barcelona. Read original article.