Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain – The air in Bon Pastor, a working-class district of Barcelona, crackled with a mix of anger, solidarity, and desperation this week. More than a hundred residents gathered, their voices rising in a unified chant: “Freedom for Pepe!” “We are all Pepe!” “It’s not murder, it’s self-defense!” The rallying cry was for Pepe, a 66-year-old man in a wheelchair, currently held in Brians 1 prison, after he fatally stabbed an 18-year-old who attempted to rob him.
A Sunny Sunday Afternoon Turns Tragic
The incident unfolded last Sunday, just before 2 PM. Pepe, as was his routine, had positioned himself in his wheelchair to soak up the sun. From her apartment window, his wife, Paqui, kept a watchful eye. “He has fainting spells,” she explained, her voice heavy with emotion, flanked by her two sons, Iván, 45, and Javi, 35, and surrounded by their supportive neighbors. Paqui recounted seeing her husband “gesticulating wildly” before she rushed downstairs. There, she discovered the horrifying scene: Pepe had killed the young man who had just tried to snatch his gold chain.
“I called the police myself,” Paqui stated, her plea clear: she wants her husband released to their home, under whatever precautionary measures are deemed necessary, given his precarious health. Pepe, a former formwork carpenter, has lived in the neighborhood’s public housing for years with his family.
The Accused and the Deceased: A Neighborhood Divided
Pepe has been in Brians 1 prison since Tuesday, accused of murder. The victim, an 18-year-old Algerian national, had a history of robberies and had arrived in Spain as a minor. “He took it off,” one of Pepe’s sons claimed, referring to the gold chain, though on the advice of their lawyer, the family declined to provide further details about the incident or why Pepe was carrying a knife. Police sources confirmed the thief was unarmed and suffered a chest wound.
A neighbor offered a grim perspective, suggesting it’s not uncommon for residents to arm themselves in a neighborhood where safety has become a growing concern. Just last October, a young man was murdered two blocks from Pepe’s home on Sèquia Madriguera street, underscoring the community’s anxieties.
A Fight for Freedom: Health Concerns and Community Outcry
The Mossos d’Esquadra arrested Pepe at the scene of the incident. His family stressed that he did not attempt to flee. “And now they imprison him for risk of flight,” complained Iván, his eldest son, echoing the sentiments of the crowd.
Pepe’s health is a significant concern for his family and the community. After his arrest, the Mossos took him to the Vall d’Hebron hospital in Barcelona. His sons detailed his numerous ailments: chronic lung disease requiring an oxygen tank for sleep and a wheelchair for mobility due to shortness of breath; Chiari malformation, which causes his fainting spells; and liver cirrhosis. This extensive list of health issues, they argue, makes imprisonment an unacceptable risk, especially given their belief that he acted in self-defense. “He’s very nervous,” added his daughter-in-law, describing their conversations with him from prison.
Legal Battle and Public Support
The Public Prosecutor’s Office requested Pepe’s imprisonment on Tuesday, a measure that the judge ultimately decreed despite opposition from his initial public defender. The family has since pooled their resources to hire a private lawyer, hoping to secure his release. Their first step, they stated, will be to present comprehensive medical documentation of his illnesses. The public prosecutor’s office has indicated that the imprisonment will be reviewed after a hearing by the investigating judge, who will consider all aspects of the case, including potential vulnerability reports, before deciding whether to maintain the prison order or alter their stance.
The community’s support for Pepe is unwavering. “We are with you, if money is needed, we’ll contribute,” a woman told Paqui, embracing her as she emerged from her home. This sentiment was echoed in myriad ways. “We are with your husband,” another woman declared. “If they don’t listen to us, we’ll go to the courthouse,” they chanted loudly. Iván, acting as the family’s spokesperson, read a brief statement, carefully adhering to his lawyer’s advice. “We regret the tragic outcome. We are sure it was an accident and it will be clarified. We trust in justice. With this concentration, we want to show our support for our father,” he concluded, met with a resounding applause from the neighbors.
For the residents of Bon Pastor, this isn’t just about a legal case; it’s about a community standing up for one of its own, grappling with complex questions of self-defense, public safety, and the vulnerability of its elderly members. The outcome of Pepe’s case will undoubtedly resonate deeply within this tight-knit Barcelona neighborhood.
Source: https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2026-04-08/los-vecinos-del-hombre-en-silla-de-ruedas-que-mato-al-ladron-que-pretendia-robarle-en-barcelona-todos-somos-pepe.html
