Manhunt Underway After Deadly Mall Shooting in Viseu
A 44-year-old woman was killed, and two others were injured during a shooting at a shopping center on Friday evening, prompting a widespread search for the suspect, who remains at large.
What?
The man who shot and killed one person and injured two others at the Palácio do Gelo shopping center in Viseu last Friday remains on the run.
The suspect’s car was found this Saturday in the Nelas region, approximately 40 kilometers from the crime scene, but operations to locate the shooter are ongoing.
The incident occurred last Friday at approximately 6:15 PM in what police describe as a confrontation between two rival families.
Authorities have identified the suspect, who fled the scene in a gray Audi A4 later found abandoned in Nelas, roughly 40 kilometers from the crime scene.
Despite extensive searches, including a high-profile operation involving the interception of a van in Porto, the suspect's whereabouts remain unknown.
The Victims and the Incident
The fatal shooting left a woman dead from gunshot wounds to the abdomen. She succumbed to her injuries at Tondela’s Central Hospital. Two others—a 23-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man—were injured.
The younger woman was shot in the leg, while the man sustained injuries to his hand. Both were treated and remain under medical observation.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots. Security footage from the mall, which remains operational apart from the affected entrance, is being reviewed by authorities.
Investigation and Theories
The PolÃcia Judiciária is leading the investigation, focusing on the possibility that the shooting was an act of retribution between the families involved.
The suspect’s uncle suggested that the shooter might have fled to Spain, but police believe he remains in Portugal.
Authorities are monitoring locations frequented by the suspect and are on high alert to prevent further violence between the families. Members of the victim’s family have publicly urged the suspect to surrender, warning against retaliation.
Community Impact
Despite the tragedy, the Palácio do Gelo shopping center resumed operations shortly after the incident.
Cristina Lopes, the mall’s director, praised the facility's security team for their swift response and assured the public that surveillance footage will be made available to assist investigators.
The case has sparked widespread concern in the region, with authorities intensifying efforts to capture the suspect and defuse tensions.
As the investigation continues, the incident has reignited discussions about violence and community safety in the area.
The police urge anyone with information about the suspect’s location to come forward.