Search continues for suspects in Split shooting

Police in Split are still searching for four male suspects in connection with a shooting that occurred on Tuesday afternoon in the city’s northern Skalice neighborhood.

A 36-year old man who was wounded and underwent surgery for his injuries remains in hospital under police guard.

The authorities are reaching out to the public for information about the suspects but they are keeping a tight lid on the investigation. They are treating the case as an attempted murder.

"We are asking the public for help. Anyone who may have information about the whereabouts of the suspects can come to the nearest police station or call 192,” said Jerko Kurevija, a spokesperson for the Split-Dalmatia County Police Department on Wednesday.

The shooting, which occurred near a day care center and school, rattled local residents. However, police are trying to assure them that this type of crime is very rare.

"The time and place of this crime would suggest a threat to public security, however, it should be noted that in Split, this is the first case of attempted murder this year and we have had no murder cases at all,” said Kurevija.

Police have not confirmed a motive for the shooting. According to one possible scenario, it originated in a recent fight at a local nightclub, and according to another, it relates to a private dispute.

The suspects were identified through video footage. They four men fled in a car that was later found abandoned in another section of the city. The suspects fled that location in another car.

The only information police were willing to confirm is that they are working in the areas of Split, Solin, and Klis, where the suspects live and work. All of the suspects except one have criminal records.

The wounded man is refusing to cooperate with police for fear of retaliation. Local media have identified the victim as Josip Čubelić, who has an attempted murder conviction himself.

Police have set up checkpoints going in and out of the city as the search continues.