Teenager Neutralised After Violent Stabbing Spree
Spanish police were forced to taser and shoot an 18-year-old suspected jihadist after he allegedly stabbed three people in a Madrid street before barricading himself in his flat. The incident, which authorities are treating as an Islamist terrorist attack, unfolded on Saturday afternoon in the Puente de Vallecas district.
Chaos Erupts in Madrid Street
The drama began around 2pm on Saturday when emergency services received reports of a stabbing on Martin Alvarez Street. Witnesses described the attacker as having "Arab features" and confirmed he had injured three individuals including an elderly woman and a 40-year-old man who suffered a two-inch knife wound to his chest.
Several hours later, the situation escalated when the suspect's own brother contacted police, revealing the teenager had locked himself inside their family home armed with a large knife and was behaving aggressively. This prompted authorities to categorise the incident as a potential terrorist event and dispatch elite anti-terrorism units to surround the property.
Police Confrontation and Shooting
Officers managed to enter the flat around 4:30pm, where they encountered the Spanish-Moroccan teenager allegedly brandishing a knife while shouting "Allahu Akbar" and reciting verses from the Koran. Police attempted to subdue him using Taser guns, deploying them twice, but the weapons failed to stop his advance.
Fearing for their safety as the suspect moved toward them with the knife, officers opened fire, striking the 18-year-old four times. Medical reports confirmed one bullet perforated his lung while another hit his kidney, leaving him with serious injuries. He was transported to Gregorio Maranon Hospital under police guard.
Aftermath and Investigation
Police union JUPOL released a statement supporting the officers' actions, describing their response as "absolutely proportionate" given the circumstances. The three stabbing victims received medical attention, with none of their injuries considered life-threatening.
While the incident is being investigated as potential Islamist terrorism, authorities have also revealed the suspect may have been under the influence of drugs during the attack. The investigation remains ongoing as Spanish counter-terrorism units work to determine the full circumstances behind this violent episode.
