Prominent Spanish politician Isabel Carrasco shot dead in the street 'in revenge killing'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A leading member of Spain’s ruling Popular Party, Isabel Carrasco, was shot dead in the street in the northern city of Leon yesterday.
Local media reported police had detained two women, a mother and daughter, in connection with the shooting. The daughter was reported by local media to have just lost her job with the provincial government the day before.
The Spanish Interior Ministry has suggested the motive may have been a “personal act of revenge related to work”.
The news dominated local media and all the main political parties, who are in the middle of campaigning for European Parliament elections next Sunday, cancelled the rest of their day’s activities.
“Due to the death of Isabel Carrasco, president of the Popular Party of Leon and of the provincial government of Leon, the Popular Party expresses its deepest sorrow and announces the suspension of all the activities planned for the rest of today,” the Popular Party said in a statement on its website.
VIDEO: Two women arrested for politician's death
The shooting took place at around 5.20pm local time, when witnesses reported by the Spanish news agency EFE said a woman fired three times at Ms Carrasco while she walked across a bridge over the river Bernesga. The site was between Ms Carrasco’s home in the city and the local party headquarters.
“We thought it was firecrackers,” a man and a woman near the scene told the Spanish daily El Pais.
Ms Carrasco was well known for her outspoken views and was involved in a number of high-profile controversies, in particular in 2011 when she received a 13 per cent pay rise at the height of Spain’s recession.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments