Two arrested after gunfire in Barcelona's Raval

Gunfire erupts in Raval during early hours

At around 2am on Friday 7 August, a violent altercation on Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany in Barcelona's Raval district ended with at least six gunshots fired into the air. No injuries were reported, but shell casings from a 9mm firearm were found scattered between Carrer Aurora and Rambla del Raval. The incident is believed to have stemmed from a fight between groups of Dominican and Moroccan individuals, though the exact cause remains unclear. Police responded quickly, leading to the arrest of two Dominican nationals on suspicion of attempted homicide.

Investigation under way

The Barcelona Municipal Police, known as Guàrdia Urbana, secured the scene and collected forensic evidence. Based on witness descriptions, officers detained two individuals involved in the incident. The Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) of the Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police, has opened a formal inquiry. Investigators are examining whether the shooting is linked to drug-related conflict, a known issue in the area.

Context of rising tensions

This incident follows a wave of violent episodes across the city. On 6 August, a man died in Nou Barris district after being stabbed in the neck, with police working on the hypothesis that his former partner and her new boyfriend were involved. Another man was critically injured in a stabbing at Forat de la Vergonya, also in Ciutat Vella. The Raval area has seen repeated police operations targeting drug trafficking and organised crime. In July 2023, a criminal network specialising in violent robberies was dismantled, and multiple drug raids have taken place in recent months, including the closure of flats used for drug dealing.

The rapid action of officers in Ciutat Vella allowed for the detention of those involved, which may help clarify the circumstances

Primary sources: Ramon, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Ramon, Ramon, Ramon, Ajuntament de Barcelona, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by Guillem RS, Redacció, La Ciutat, Gabriel González Barcelona, Miriam Saint-Germain, europapress.es, metropoliabierta.cat, Anton Rosa, Irene Delgado Publicado: 03 de diciembre de 2023, 21:39, Clara Blanchar, Agencias, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, Roger Franco, totbarcelona.cat, Nació Digital, Redacción digital Informativos Telecinco, José Gómez Publicado: 23 de diciembre de 2023, 18:50, elcaso.elnacional.cat.