A man was fatally shot outside a Barcelona police office in Sant Gervasi-Galvany at about 8.50am on the morning of the Pope's visit. Police recovered a weapon, cordoned off the scene and launched a manhunt, describing the suspect as a large man in his 30s. Authorities say there is no known link to the papal visit, while investigators probe possible ties to organised Balkan crime. Political leaders have criticised law enforcement and called for stronger measures.
Man Shot Dead Outside Barcelona Police Office During Papal Visit Day
The killing occurred outside a police office responsible for issuing national ID cards - Metrópoli
A man was shot dead outside a police office that issues national ID cards in Barcelona on the morning of the Pope's scheduled visit to the city.
Catalan police said the attacker fired at the victim's head at about 8.50am on Wednesday in the Sant Gervasi-Galvany neighbourhood, often nicknamed the city's 'Hollywood Hills'. The incident occurred at the junction of Balmes Street and Granada del Penedès, directly outside the police office.
Officers cordoned off the scene and retrieved a weapon
According to a witness, the suspected gunman stalked the victim from behind and shot him in the head. The witness said the attacker then moved closer as if to fire a second shot, realised the victim was already dead and fled on foot in the direction of the Sagrada Família, roughly a 30-minute walk away.
Officers cordoned off the scene, recovered a weapon and launched a manhunt. Police have described the suspect as a large, robust man in his 30s, about 1.8m (5ft 10in), wearing black at the time of the shooting. Investigators said warring Balkan criminal gangs are among the lines of inquiry being explored.
Police are attempting to trace the killer - Metrópoli
An estimated 6,000 officers had been deployed to secure large parts of the city and set up roadblocks ahead of the Pope's planned visit to the Sagrada Família that afternoon. Authorities told Antena 3 they have ruled out any link between the shooting and the papal visit.
Political figures reacted strongly to the killing. Daniel Sirera, chairman of the conservative People’s Party and a Barcelona city councillor, criticised national and local leaders for what he described as inaction on rising violent crime. Mayor Jaume Collboni has called for increased police presence and tougher penalties in response to a recent spate of violent incidents linked to drug trafficking and organised crime.
This is the second fatal shooting in Barcelona in three days: on Sunday, a man believed to be a Serbian national was shot four times in Sants-Montjuïc, about two miles from Sant Gervasi-Galvany. Police continue their search for the suspect and investigations remain ongoing.
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