In a tragic incident in Plasencia, Spain, a two-year-old girl lost her life following a shooting that occurred late Saturday night, March 29, 2025. The shooting, which is believed to have stemmed from a dispute between rival drug clans, also left a 25-year-old woman injured.
The National Police confirmed the arrest of nine individuals in connection with the incident, and investigations are ongoing. Authorities are not ruling out further arrests as they work to uncover the details surrounding the shooting.
The confrontation took place in the San Lázaro neighborhood, a known hotspot for drug trafficking in Extremadura. Eyewitness reports indicate that members of the Hilario clan, a well-known family in the area, drove into the neighborhood and opened fire on another family with whom they have an ongoing feud.
According to the Extremaduran Health Service (SES), the two-year-old girl was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital Materno Infantil de Badajoz after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries on Monday morning, March 31, 2025.
The other victim, a 25-year-old woman, was shot in the foot and remains hospitalized at the Hospital Virgen del Puerto de Plasencia in stable condition. Her injuries are not considered life-threatening.
The shooting began around midnight, prompting local residents to alert emergency services after hearing multiple gunshots. The police response included units from the National Police, Local Police, and the Civil Guard, who worked together to manage the situation and secure the area.
José Luis Quintana, the delegate of the Government in Extremadura, expressed his condolences for the loss of the young girl and stated that the detained individuals have yet to be presented to judicial authorities. He indicated that this process may not occur until Tuesday, April 1, 2025, pending further developments in the investigation.
Quintana also noted that specialized teams from the National Police would be dispatched to Plasencia to assist with the investigation, which he described as crucial given the serious consequences of the ongoing feud between the two families involved.
Witnesses reported that the shooting erupted when members of the Hilario clan arrived in two vehicles and began firing at the opposing family. The rival group retaliated, resulting in a chaotic exchange of gunfire that left the two victims injured.
This incident is not isolated; a similar shooting occurred in the same neighborhood in 2017, highlighting the ongoing violence associated with drug trafficking disputes in the region. In that previous incident, two men aged 52 and 19 were also injured.
As the investigation continues, the police are focusing on gathering evidence and testimonies from the community to better understand the circumstances that led to this tragic event. The local community is in shock, grappling with the implications of such violence spilling into their neighborhood.
The ongoing search for Ángel Benito Moreno, a prominent member of the Hilario clan who escaped from prison in February 2025, has added another layer of complexity to the situation. Authorities are concerned that his presence may escalate tensions further.
In light of these events, local officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as the police increase their presence in the area. The community is hoping for a swift resolution to the investigation and for measures to be taken to prevent further violence.
As authorities work to bring those responsible to justice, the tragic loss of a young life serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of gang violence and the urgent need for effective intervention strategies to address the underlying issues of drug trafficking and organized crime in the region.
The investigation remains active, and the police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward. The community is left to mourn the loss of a child and to reflect on the broader implications of violence in their neighborhoods.
