OVIEDO — A police officer has been killed and another seriously injured in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo after an explosive device detonated during a response to a neighbourhood shooting on Tuesday morning.
The fatal blast occurred as officers from Spain’s canine unit and bomb disposal unit inspected a suspicious backpack discovered at the scene.
A local woman who sustained gunshot wounds during the initial dispute and the injured bomb disposal officer have been rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
The suspect fled the area immediately following the shooting and remains at large, prompting a widespread police manhunt across the region.
Dispute leads to fatal detonation
Police spokesman Pedro Aguado confirmed that officers were initially dispatched early Tuesday following emergency calls reporting an argument between neighbours. Upon arrival, officers located a woman suffering from gunshot injuries.
While securing the perimeter and searching for the gunman, officers discovered a backpack equipped with a flashing light, prompting an immediate call for specialized units.
“While the package was being moved outside to ensure the safety of the residents, an explosion occurred,” Aguado said.
The blast killed a member of the police canine unit, identified by authorities as Officer Juan José, and critically injured an officer from the explosives disposal team.
In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), Spanish police paid tribute to the fallen officer, writing, “Our hearts are with his family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones.”
Offering his condolences, Spanish opposition leader and People’s Party President Alberto Núñez Feijóo described the event as heartbreaking, sending his support to the family of the deceased officer and wishing a full recovery to the injured officer.
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