A mechanical failure averted a potential tragedy on Monday evening when a man’s handgun reportedly jammed. He had attempted to open fire on another individual in a busy street near the Casino Barcelona.
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The Catalan regional police force, the Mossos d’Esquadra, have confirmed the arrest of a 39-year-old man in connection with the incident. The event unfolded around 6:00 PM on Monday, 16 March, on the bustling Carrer de la Marina, a major thoroughfare alongside the city’s Port Olímpic waterfront.
A Public Confrontation
According to a report by Metrópoli, the attempted attack occurred in full view of numerous witnesses. The area, popular with both tourists and locals, was busy with pedestrians. One bystander recorded the confrontation, capturing the moment the assailant allegedly aimed the weapon and attempted to shoot, but it malfunctioned.
Following the failed attempt, the suspect, described as being of Maghrebi origin, fled the scene. However, police rapidly responded, locating and arresting him a short time later. He now faces charges of making threats and illegal possession of a firearm.
Investigation Focuses on Prior Dispute
The Investigation Unit of the Ciutat Vella district is now handling the case, working to piece together the circumstances that led to the violent encounter. Investigators are proceeding under the initial hypothesis that the attacker and his intended victim knew each other.
Early indications suggest the motive may stem from a pre-existing conflict between the two men. While not officially confirmed, sources close to the investigation have suggested the dispute could be linked to drug trafficking or related criminal activity, often termed ‘public health activities’.
This incident is the latest in a series of violent public acts raising concerns about safety in Barcelona and its surrounding areas. In a separate event, a man was seriously injured in a shooting in Badalona’s Sant Roc neighbourhood. Other recent metropolitan crimes include a seemingly random stabbing in Santa Coloma and a fatal iron bar attack in Barceloneta, where a trial has now commenced. The investigation into Monday’s failed shooting continues.
