A young woman has been killed in a brutal stabbing in Barcelona, with police launching a major investigation. Emergency services were called on Saturday after reports that a woman had been attacked in the town of Esplugues de Llobregat, near Barcelona. Despite the rapid response, she could not be saved.
A man has since been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the fatal assault that occurred in a residential area near Sant Joan Deu Hospital. Detectives are still trying to establish whether the attacker knew his victim, but have said there was no romantic relationship between the two they know of. A 58-year-old man, Jose Luis, was also injured after confronting the knifeman during the fatal stabbing. Spanish media outlets El Mundo and Telecinco, cited witnesses who reported that the suspect had been acting “nervously” before the attack and allegedly shouted the name of “Allah”. Initial reports suggested terrorism was not being treated as a motive, though police declined to comment further, saying the investigation remains ongoing.
The suspect was apprehended around midday on Saturday in Barcelona’s Les Corts neighbourhood.
As part of a statment, Esplugues de Llobregat Town Hall said: “We deeply regret the violent death of a person in the town and extend our condolences to their family and loved ones.
“The council condemns all forms of violence and expresses its concern over these serious incidents, which affect community life and public safety.
“The alleged perpetrator has already been arrested by the Mossos d’Esquadra regional police force.
“From the outset, the council has been coordinating with the Mossos d’Esquadra, the force leading the investigation, and the Esplugues Local Police, and is offering all necessary institutional cooperation to help clarify the facts.”
In a second statement, it decreed two days of official mourning and confirmed the victim was local.
In an official statement, the regional police force, the Mossos D’Esquadra, confirmed the arrest of the suspect: “Officers have arrested a man as the suspected author of a violent death committed this afternoon in Esplugues de Llobregat in the province of Barcelona.
“At around 11am the 112 emergency number received a report that a man had injured a woman and fled the scene.
“ Police and the Emergency Medical Service (SEM) attended the scene, but were unable to save her life.
“The alleged perpetrator was later located and arrested.’
Footage from the scene reportedly shows a forensic tent in place, shielding the victim’s body from public view.
