Spanish police investigating the execution-style attempted murder of a British man, who was left paralyzed from the neck down in a Costa Blanca shooting, have arrested the alleged shooter as he attempted to board a flight to Scotland.
Arrest at Alicante Airport
The suspected gunman was detained at Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernandez Airport while trying to board a flight to Edinburgh. A woman was also arrested at the same airport as she attempted to enter Spain. Both individuals are believed to be members of a violent criminal group originating from the United Kingdom.
The Victim
The victim, a 27-year-old British man, suffered life-changing injuries after being shot in the back outside his home in the village of Santiago de la Ribera, near the La Manga golf resort. The attack occurred in front of his girlfriend. He survived thanks to police officers who used their hands to plug the bullet wounds and stop the bleeding. Reports indicate he was left tetraplegic, though this has not been officially confirmed.
The shooting took place on November 18, 2024, at around 8:30 PM. The victim, named only as Aaron, was rushed to Virgen de La Arrixaca Hospital in Murcia, where he spent months in intensive care. He is believed to have been shot four times, including in the back.
Investigation and Evidence
The Civil Guard launched Operation Esbroya 24, which led to the arrests in April and May 2025, though details were only recently released. A car matching the description of the getaway vehicle was found abandoned and set on fire in a tunnel on the AP-7 motorway. Inside, officers discovered a pistol with a silencer, a magazine with ammunition, a balaclava, and gloves used in the attack.
UK police assisted the Civil Guard during the investigation. A spokesman for the Civil Guard confirmed that the suspects were members of a violent criminal group from the UK who traveled to the Murcian coast specifically to locate and kill the victim.
Background
Local reports suggest the victim had moved to Santiago de la Ribera from Torrevieja, about 30 minutes north, after undisclosed problems with a criminal gang. A local health worker told Spanish media that the shooting was believed to be a settling of scores, adding that the victim was lucky none of the shots hit his heart.
Neighbors initially thought the gunshots were firecrackers before police and ambulances arrived. The victim was first thought to be Ukrainian but was later confirmed as a British national.
