A 24-year-old man has been left in a coma after being shot in the head with a shotgun in the early hours of Monday morning in São Bartolomeu de Messines, in the municipality of Silves. The shooter, believed to be around 20 years old, has been arrested by the Judiciary Police.
According to information obtained by journalists at the Jornal de Notícias, the crimes are believed to have stemmed from a disagreement over trivial matters at a nightclub in São Marcos da Serra. The initial confrontation had been “calmed by third parties”, one of those involved left the venue but later returned “armed with a shotgun”.
Upon arriving at the scene with the firearm, the man fired two shots at the victim’s vehicle, damaging the bodywork and smashing the windows, before discharging the weapon three further times into the air and then leaving the São Marcos da Serra area, the police force added.
“Despite the damage to the vehicle, the victim, accompanied by several friends, headed to another location, this time in the São Bartolomeu de Messines area,” the Judiciary Police said, stressing that on arrival at a 24-hour alcohol outlet, the attacker was laying in waiting at the location and “shot him with a shotgun in the neck and head”.
The blast caused “very serious injuries” to the 24-year-old victim, who remains in an intensive care unit “in an induced coma” and “with a guarded prognosis”, according to a source.
Following the incident, and in coordination with the GNR in São Bartolomeu de Messines, Judiciary Police investigators gathered evidence that enabled them to identify the suspect, determine his whereabouts and carry out his arrest, as well as seize the shotgun allegedly used in the attack.
Sources close to the investigation have revealed that the detained man has not confessed to the crime. The victim’s friends were questioned by the Judiciary Police but were unable to clarify the reason behind the argument.
The apprehended suspect is expected to appear before the court in Portimão, on Tuesday.
Source: JN / PJ
