Tension over gypsy triple murder in Cuevas del Almanzora

THE family of three shot to death last week in Cuevas del Almanzora was buried in Sorbas. The victims were a married gypsy couple, aged 46 and 42, and their son, 25. The shooter, who reportedly handed himself in to the Guardia Civil and is not a gypsy, has been released from hospital.

He was stabbed at some point before the shooting. He had allegedly argued with the family over a report he had made against them for robbery. The gypsy community in Palomares is up in arms and claims that if the roles had been reversed and the killer had been a gypsy there consequences for them would have been very different.

Guardia Civil and Local Police were present at the funeral at Palomares church to prevent any problems, while the relatives and friends shouted for justice. Meanwhile, the shooter, a married businessman with a small daughter was remanded to prison by a Vera judge.

He said in his statement that on July 21, he was involved in a fight with three members of the victims’ family. Residents in his part of the town, although not justifying his actions, claim that he had been the victim of several robberies of building material. This was confirmed by the authorities. He is also said to have received threats from the gypsy family.

The gypsies, on the other hand, claim that the shooter and his family are racists. According to their version of the events, the shooter targeted the youngest victim and they had had an argument.

Later that day, he drove to the family’s house and told the young man to come out. When he reached the car, he shot him through the window. His father then came out of the house and banged on the car window and was also shot.

When the woman came out of the house and was holding her dying husband and son, according to the account of the neighbours, the shooter got out of the car and shot her in the head several times.