A Danish man is in a serious condition after being shot at least twice during a suspected gangland attack.
The victim was ambushed by two men posing as police officers in what investigators believe may have been a settling of scores.
The attack began just after 9pm on Monday near the El Encuentro roundabout on the A-404.
A witness called emergency services after seeing a Maserati Levante fitted with blue flashing lights cut off a white van.
Two men wearing fake police vests jumped out, apparently attempting to seize the vehicle.
The driver, described as a tall Nordic man with visible tattoos, resisted. Shots were fired. One bullet struck him in the face, piercing his cheek.
Another hit him in the side. He was rushed to hospital in an ambulance and is reported to be in a serious but stable condition.
Evidence left behind
In the struggle, one assailant lost a shoe, while another dropped a glove and a mobile phone – items now being analysed as potential key evidence. Investigators believe the weapon used was a .22 calibre handgun.
The suspects fled, leaving the victim’s van behind. With no secure impound facility in Alhaurin de la Torre, officers were forced to leave the vehicle taped off in the car park of a Lidl supermarket that had closed for the night.
Attackers return to destroy evidence
At around 4am, witnesses saw another high-end vehicle arrive at the supermarket. Two men broke into the sealed van, doused it with petrol and set it on fire – apparently in an effort to eliminate evidence.
Hours later, a second luxury car, thought to be linked to the attackers, was found burned out in Los Montes de Malaga.
Growing unease in a ‘safe’ town
The Guardia Civil has taken over the investigation, which remains open with no arrests confirmed. Locals say they are unsettled by the surge in violence.
Authorities are now examining whether the attack was connected to organised crime groups operating on the Costa del Sol, an area long considered a hotspot for drug and trafficking networks.
Read more Costa del Sol news at the Spanish Eye.
