Woman, 40, shot dead in Vallecas, Madrid

Shooting in Vallecas: woman, 40, killed

A 40-year-old woman died on Monday night after being shot several times on Calle Lago Maracaibo in the Madrid district of Puente de Vallecas. The incident occurred shortly before 22:00. Samur-Protección Civil paramedics found her with several gunshot wounds to the left hemithorax and in cardiorespiratory arrest. The main hypothesis for the motive is an argument between the deceased and other people over a children's matter days earlier, which ended in insults and threats and led to a live video on a social network. The attack, according to the police sources cited, would have been planned.

Who was the victim: the circle pointed to by the media

According to published reports, the deceased was a relative of a known 'alunicero' (car-ramming burglar), Rellenito Maya, linked to the Goyito gang. Local media have identified the victim as his aunt. In the context of the incident, a wounded person in a nearby street is also mentioned, who would have been taken away by relatives before the arrival of Samur. Police are working on the hypothesis of a settling of scores between family clans, although a frontman (straw man) matter has also been suggested. The neighbourhood, Puente de Vallecas, has suffered for years from the presence of gangs and drug trafficking.

The price of living in Vallecas: 700 euros rent and bullets

The debate soon turned to the cost of housing in the area. It is argued that a flat in the neighbourhood rents for 700 or 800 euros and is bought for more than 100,000 euros. The paradox is obvious: first-world city prices in an environment that many describe as third-world. Some maintain that these prices are cheap compared to wealthy neighbourhoods; others reply that to live next to the rabble they are extremely expensive. The full calculation, with the comparison between neighbourhoods, gives a surprising difference.

Firearms on the street: more armed incivil or more perception?

Part of the analysis maintains that more and more firearms are being perceived on the street. The most cited response: legal weapons can only be carried in the boot and by the shortest route from home to the shooting range, so whoever is armed is the one who commits crimes. The conclusion drawn is that ordinary people are left defenceless. Others point out that this type of incident has always existed, as in Puerto Hurraco, and that now they are simply more visible.

The political reaction: from Abascal to Ferraz

The incident has been read in political terms. Some joke that Latinos vote for Abascal and others blame men and polluting cars. The media treatment has also been criticised: on Telemadrid the word 'clanes' (clans) would have been avoided and the presence of a white van in the news has been noted. The discussion drifts towards immigration and security, with opposing positions on whether the phenomenon is new or structural.

What is known about the motive: children's argument and revenge

The main hypothesis is an argument between the deceased and other people over a children's matter days earlier. Tension increased after a live video on a social network in which they swore at each other. The attack would have been planned and executed against the victim. A brother of the deceased with a record for attempted homicide in a traffic argument is also mentioned. Police have not closed the case.

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With these ingredients, the question is not who fired, but how long it will take to happen again. The neighbourhood is still there, with its 700-euro rents and its white vans.