Builder shot dead over alleged “unpaid debt” in Silves as police arrest workmate

Police have arrested the suspected killer of a construction worker found dead two weeks ago at a building site in Silves.

According to the Polícia Judiciária (PJ), the victim was allegedly executed with a single gunshot to the head by his own colleague following a bitter dispute.

The PJ has now arrested a 39-year-old man suspected of pulling the trigger, accusing him of qualified homicide and illegal possession of a firearm.

According to investigators, the suspect and the 38-year-old victim had been working together on the same construction site since the start of the year. But behind the scenes, tensions had been simmering for some time.

Police say the pair frequently clashed due to excessive drinking and an alleged unpaid debt.

On the day of the killing, the suspect is believed to have armed himself with a handgun belonging to a family member, which he had previously hidden in a nearby garage.

He then allegedly made his way to the worksite, where, after only a brief exchange of words, he fired a single shot into the left side of the victim’s head, killing him instantly.

The suspect reportedly fled the scene, leaving his colleague’s body behind.

The gruesome discovery was made later by the victim’s employer, who arrived at the site and found his employee lying motionless on the ground.

“I saw him there, face down,” the employer told Correio da Manhã at the time.

The case was initially surrounded by mystery, with investigators only confirming that the victim had suffered serious head injuries and that foul play was suspected.

Following what police describe as an intensive investigation, detectives gathered enough evidence to identify the alleged killer, recover the weapon believed to have been used and seize the remaining ammunition.

The suspect has now been taken into custody and will appear before a judge, who will decide whether he remains behind bars while awaiting trial.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.