Sniping at Schools

A 41-year-old man was arrested by the Guardia Civil, as part of the police operation, Nigromante, accused of the illegal possession of a firearm, identity fraud and damages.

The accused had caused quite a bit of consternation in Villamediana de Iregua (Rioja) for taking popshots with a high-powered air rifle at houses and a school.

Six, separate complaints were made by residents at the local Guardia Civil post, which set in motion the Operación Nigromante. The complaints were concerning shots being fire at chimneys, TV aerials, a junior school and a kindergarten, so that police set up observation points to locate the shooter.

The suspect had been stopped and in his car they found high-powered 5.5mm (.22) air rifles with scopes and a supply of ammunition. The rifles were confiscated and taken to a ballistics lab where it was found one had been modified to give it greater power. The spent munitions found near targeted objects matched the air rifles, too.

Furthermore the forgery lab confirmed that the gun license in his name was falsified. Investigating officers also obtained a search warrant for the suspects home and a cabin belonging to him, with the latter having been used to carry out modifications to the air rifles. Three other weapons were discovered, all of which had been modified, as were the tools for carrying out the modifications and forged arms certificates.

Note: regardless of action type, caliber and muzzle energy — air rifles/guns are considered firearms for legal purposes; e.g., air rifles are considered Class A firearms and as such are subject to licensing and registration.

(News Villamediana de Iregua, Rioja)

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