MOCEJÓN, SPAIN – In central Spain, a 20-year-old man allegedly killed an 11-year-old boy in a shocking attack. The Spanish Civil Guard reported the arrest of the suspect following a two-day comprehensive search operation, including raids on two local homes.
The victim, identified as Mateo, was allegedly attacked with a sharp object whilst playing with other children on Sunday morning. After committing the heinous crime, the alleged attacker reportedly escaped the scene in a grey Ford Mondeo.
The incident took place at around 10:00 local time (09:00 BST) at the Ángel Tardío sports center in Mocejón. The assault unraveled in a brutal manner, with government offices confirming that Mateo endured a total of 10 stab wounds.
In an effort to track down and apprehend the suspect, a combination of a dozen patrols, an underwater unit, and air surveillance were deployed.
A poignant moment occurred on Monday at Toledo’s Provincial Palace at 12:00 (11:00 BST) where local mayors and councilors collectively held a moment of silence in remembrance of Mateo and a 17-year-old girl who was shot dead on Saturday in nearby Otero.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, Asell Sánchez, Mateo’s cousin, conveyed their bafflement regarding the identity of the perpetrator. He described Mateo as an affectionate, good boy whose life was cruelly snuffed out while he was simply playing with his friends.
The tight-knit community of Mocejón, home to approximately 5,000 residents, has announced three days of official mourning following this tragedy.
The president of the Castilla-La Mancha region, Emiliano Garcia-Page, appreciated the efforts of law enforcement teams involved in apprehending the suspect. In a recent post, he assured that stringent legal action will be taken against the perpetrator and expressed his profound empathy for Mateo’s family, friends and the Mocejón community.