Police in the Costa Del Sol are hunting a gunman who shot dead a tourist believed to be British, as investigations continue.
The murder happened around 8.15pm on Monday evening in the popular holiday resort of Calahonda between Marbella and Fuengirola in the area of southern Spain. Witnesses overheard between eight and ten gunshots being fired at the time and the area was placed in lockdown after the shooting. Tragically, the victim was dead by the time emergency crews arrived at the scene of the crime and a vehicle, believed to be a getaway car, was found burned out nearby.
Below we take a look at all we know so far about the tragedy in Spain.
The identity of the victim killed in the shootout in Calahonda is yet to be confirmed. Sources in Spain believe he is a 30-year-old British man from Liverpool. Local media suggested the gunman had waited for the victim to finish playing football before launching the deadly assault.
It is currently unknown if the victim was an expat or a tourist visiting the area on holiday.
Police have not yet officially confirmed the nationality of the victim, partly because the post-mortem has not taken place.
At around 8.15pm what has been described as a gunfight broke out in the Costa del Sol street called Don Jose de Orbaneja Street. There is a well-known tennis and padel tennis club called Club del Sol as well as a neighbouring holiday resort called Finca Naundrup which has sports facilities.
Locals told cops they had heard between eight and ten shots being fired and police put the area on lockdown after the shooting.
A Seat Cupra with foreign number plates was found burned out nearby shortly after the gunfight. Insiders said weapons were found inside.
Investigators are working on the theory it was the getaway car and was set on fire by the assassin and possible accomplices.
Several expats in the region have spoken out about the incident. One said: “It happened on the slip road down towards Finca Naundrup outside Club del Sol. My son was at the football pitch from 8pm when I dropped him off and is finally home now.” A Scottish expat added: “I was playing padel at Finca Naundrup earlier. Glad I missed it.”
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