In a rare act of violence, three people were fatally shot in Lisbon’s Penha de França district on Wednesday, with the assailants fleeing the scene on foot.
The victims, two men and a woman, were gunned down in broad daylight, shocking the local community. Authorities have launched an investigation, but the motive behind the killings remains unclear.
According to police, three male suspects are currently at large. Local media reports suggest the victims may have been executed, as two of them sustained head wounds.
A police spokesperson confirmed the deaths but said it was too early to determine the motive.
Penha de França, a historically working-class neighborhood, is not typically associated with violent crime.
Portugal is widely regarded as one of the safest countries in the world, ranking seventh in the Global Peace Index. However, violent crime has seen an uptick in recent years.
According to Portugal’s latest national security report, violent crime increased by 5.6% in 2023 compared to the previous year, with over 14,000 incidents recorded nationwide.
A significant portion of these occurred in the Lisbon metropolitan area, where Wednesday's deadly shooting took place.
Police are continuing their search for the suspects and urging anyone with information to come forward.
Meanwhile, the community remains in shock as authorities work to uncover the reasons behind this tragic incident.
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