EL EJIDO, Spain — A wave of shock and commotion has gripped the quiet, greenhouse-laden municipality of El Ejido in the southern province of Almería, Andalusia, after a horrific nighttime shooting left at least two people dead and four others seriously injured.

The violent incident unfolded late Monday night, May 18, 2026 into the early hours of Tuesday, triggering a massive response from emergency medical teams and law enforcement personnel.

According to emergency services, the first panicked phone calls from distressed residents were received around 11:15 PM. The shooting took place in the rural residential area known as El Canalillo, located near the coastal municipality of Balanegra.

When specialized units of the Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) and emergency medical services arrived at the scene, they discovered a chaotic and bloody site.

Two people were pronounced dead at the scene from fatal gunshot wounds. Additionally, paramedics worked rapidly to stabilize four other individuals who had suffered severe injuries during the gunfire. In a tragic development, authorities confirmed that two minors were among the four seriously wounded victims rushed to a nearby hospital.

The Civil Guard immediately cordoned off the area to gather forensic evidence, collect spent casings, and interview witnesses.

While a large-scale police deployment locked down the neighborhood, investigators quickly uncovered details regarding the motive. A spokesperson for the Civil Guard revealed that the two deceased victims shared a direct family relationship with the suspected gunman.

Preliminary tracking points toward a severe family dispute that violently escalated out of control, targeting several relatives within the same household or vicinity.

"This is an active and fluid scene," an investigation source noted early Tuesday morning. "Our immediate focus is supporting the medical teams treating the wounded and securing the crime scene to reconstruct the exact timeline of this tragedy."

Following initial confusion over whether the shooter had successfully fled the perimeter under the cover of darkness, police sources confirmed that a suspect has been arrested.

The identity of the gunman and the specific types of firearms used in the assault has not yet been publicly disclosed, pending formal charges.

With the community in deep mourning over the sudden loss of life and the critical condition of the injured children, local authorities are expected to hold a press conference later today to provide updates on the condition of the survivors and the legal steps against the perpetrator.