Police have confirmed there is no evidence linking a double shooting in Spain to recent criminal incidents in Scotland. The victims, Eddie Lyons Junior and Ross Monaghan, were shot dead by a hooded gunman outside an Irish pub in Fuengirola on Saturday evening. The incident occurred during a screening of the UEFA Champions League final. Spanish authorities are leading the investigation, with Police Scotland providing support where needed, although no officers are currently stationed in Spain.
The spokesperson for Police Scotland emphasised that the deaths of the two men do not appear to be connected to the spate of violent crimes in Scotland. This includes shootings, firebombings, and assaults across the west and east coasts. To date, over forty arrests have been made in connection with Operation Portaledge, an ongoing investigation into these incidents.
Witnesses reported that one victim was shot point-blank in the chest, while the other was shot as he attempted to flee. Eyewitness accounts suggest the gunman fled the scene on foot and then escaped in a vehicle with an accomplice. The incident raises concerns as it is among several shootings reported in the Costa del Sol region this year.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is offering support to the families of the victims, who have been in contact with local authorities. Investigations continue as Spanish police work to apprehend the shooter and determine the motive behind this violent act.
This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor before publication.