National Police have detained a 20-year-old man in Leganés (Madrid) as the alleged perpetrator of a shooting against his 21-year-old girlfriend, who is in grave condition in a hospital. The incident occurred early Saturday morning in an entertainment area and is being investigated as possible gender violence. The detainee claims the weapon discharged accidentally.
The incident took place around 6:55 a.m. on Saturday on Avenida de la Lengua Española, a popular entertainment area in Leganés, near La Cubierta space, where a Halloween party was being held. The young woman was found lying on the ground with a gunshot wound: entry point in the left cheekbone and exit near the right ear. SUMMA medical staff intubated her at the scene and transferred her in grave condition to Madrid's 12 de Octubre Hospital, where she remains admitted. Police have not yet been able to take her statement.
The detainee, the victim's boyfriend, was arrested that same afternoon for alleged crimes of gender violence, injuries, and illegal possession of weapons. According to his account, the couple was returning to his home when they found a box containing a weapon in the roadway, which they took inside. While handling it, he claims, it discharged accidentally, wounding the girl in the cheekbone. After the incident, they went back downstairs, hid the weapon in some bushes, and called emergency services. However, police sources state that upon arrival, the young woman was alone on the ground.
National Police have recovered the weapon hidden in the bushes and continue investigating the circumstances. So far this year, 33 women have been killed by their partners or ex-partners in Spain; since 2003, the figure stands at 1,328.
The 016 hotline assists gender violence victims 24 hours a day in 53 languages, without leaving a trace on the bill.