The source told Lusa that the attempted murder occurred in the small village of Cumeada at 21:59 on Sunday and that the suspect is a 51-year-old man who is the ex-husband and ex-father-in-law of the victims.

According to the police source, the two women, 54 and 73 years old, were hit with shots from a firearm and were in serious condition. They were first transported to the Espírito Santo de Évora Hospital and then to S. José and Santa Maria hospitals in Lisbon.

The crime occurred in the suspect's ex-wife’s house, where she lived with her mother, the police said, noting that the authorities have not yet determined whether the man, who is at large, acted alone or with the help of others.

The case came under the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Police (PJ), and the GNR is collaborating in the efforts to try to find the suspect.