A man suspected of firing a bullet that struck a tourist on Rua Augusta, in central Lisbon, yesterday evening, was arrested this morning, 11 August. During a search of his home, carried out by the Public Security Police (PSP), agents also seized a shotgun. The victim, a Swedish national, was hit by a stray bullet fired during an argument between men described as being “from the same ethnic group”.
The shots were fired at around 6.30pm and came during an argument between men who are regularly seen loitering on Rua Augusta, and known to police and business owners in the area. Authorities have yet to establish what sparked the confrontation, but one of the men involved in the altercation is believed to have produced a firearm and opened fire.
None of the men involved in the dispute was hit, but one of the stray bullets struck a 41-year-old Swedish tourist who happened to be nearby, and had no connection to the incident. The woman was shot in the abdomen and taken to São José Hospital.
PSP officers quickly arrived at the scene, but the man believed to have fired the shot that wounded the tourist had already fled. A second man, also suspected of firing shots, had likewise escaped.
Footage from the network of surveillance cameras in central Lisbon enabled both the PSP and the Polícia Judiciária, which was subsequently called in, to identify the suspected gunman. On Tuesday morning, PSP officers located him at his home, also in Lisbon.
Acting on a search warrant, officers searched the property before arresting the suspect and seizing the shotgun found inside the house. Police are now carrying out further enquiries to locate the second suspect who is believed to have opened fire.
Source: JN
Photo credit: JN
