Krsto Vujić, a high-ranking member of the Montenegrin Škaljari criminal clan, sustained critical injuries after being shot multiple times in a daylight attack on Passeig de Taulat, near Barcelona's Diagonal Mar, on Tuesday, 14 April, shortly before 16:00. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing feud between the Škaljari and Kavač clans, which has claimed at least ten lives across several countries.

Three unidentified assailants approached Mr Vujić from behind while he was on a bar terrace with his partner and child. They fired at least five shots, hitting him four times. Emergency medical services (SEM) stabilised him before transferring him to hospital in a critical condition. His prognosis remains reserved, according to reports from El Caso.

Witnesses reported hearing several shots, initially mistaking them for fireworks, before seeing a man bleeding on the ground. Passers-by and residents from nearby flats provided initial assistance until emergency teams arrived. The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's police force, confirmed that the attack was an attempted execution. Police believe the gunmen specifically targeted Mr Vujić and intended to kill him.

Escalating Montenegrin Mafia Conflict

This shooting is the latest chapter in a violent conflict between the Škaljari and Kavač clans, both originating from Kotor, Montenegro. The feud began years ago following the loss of a large drug shipment at Valencia port. Since then, the conflict has resulted in numerous deaths and injuries across various countries.

Catalonia has become a battleground for these rival groups. In July 2025, gunmen killed Filip Knežević, a prominent Kavač clan member, on Carrer del Consell de Cent in Barcelona. Another attempted killing linked to the clans occurred on Carrer Comte d'Urgell in August 2025. In December 2025, another clan member died in a daylight shooting in Castelldefels.

Serbian media reports indicate approximately ten victims since the July 2025 Barcelona shooting, all connected to revenge for Mr Knežević's death. Clan leaders reportedly order assassinations, with hit squads carrying out cold-blooded killings. This pattern of public, daylight violence appears to be a hallmark of the conflict.

Police Concerns Over Organised Crime

The Mossos d'Esquadra's Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) for the Barcelona region has taken charge of the current investigation. As of now, police have not identified or arrested the three men seen fleeing the scene. No arrests have been made in connection with the Consell de Cent or Castelldefels shootings either, according to El Caso.

Police express significant concern about the presence of these highly lethal international criminal groups in Catalonia. They note the groups' capability for swift escape after committing violent acts. Barcelona is considered a "resort zone" by these international mafia leaders, attracting their presence.

Authorities have detected other individuals linked to foreign criminal organisations in Barcelona's Sant Martí district in recent months. For example, police located and arrested Genti Baleci, a well-known criminal from Antwerp, Belgium, in Sant Martí. This demonstrates ongoing efforts to combat international crime.

Broader Context of Gun Violence

This incident marks the second recorded murder attempt in Barcelona's capital since the beginning of 2026, according to El Caso. It is the third known shooting involving firearms in Catalonia this year. The first occurred in Badalona, where men from Eastern Europe opened fire in a Chinese-run karaoke bar during an extortion attempt. No arrests have been made in that case.

The second firearm incident happened in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat the night before Palm Sunday. A Dominican man died from a gunshot wound in Les Planes park, an incident police suspect relates to Latin American gangs. This case also remains without arrests.

Overall, twelve people have died violently across Catalonia in 2026, based on currently available information. The ongoing Montenegrin mafia war contributes significantly to this concerning trend of public gun violence. The investigation into the shooting of Krsto Vujić continues, with police working to identify and apprehend the assailants. The persistent violence underscores the challenges authorities face in combating international organised crime operating within Catalonia.

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Originally published by El Caso (El Nacional). Read original article.