In Oviedo, police officer dies as backpack explodes while responding to shooting between two families in Spain
Officers respond to shooting
Authorities said police were called to a violent dispute involving two families on Tuesday morning. A young woman had been shot and injured by a man on Oviedo’s outskirts at about 7:30am.
The officers reached the scene on Rafael Urrusti Street. According to police union JUPOL, they found a backpack containing an explosive device at the entrance to a building.
Blast kills canine officer
The backpack detonated at about 8:30am as officers carried it away from the building to defuse it. A member of the National Police’s canine unit died. A bomb disposal unit officer was left in a very serious condition and lost a leg, JUPOL said in a statement.
Police operation underway
Authorities cordoned off the area as National Police sent a large operation to the scene, according to Spanish outlet El Pais. The article did not report further details about the device or those involved in the shooting. EFE reported that Oviedo mayor Alfredo Canteli was heading to the scene to gather information about what happened.
Key points
- A National Police canine unit officer died in the explosion in Oviedo.
- A bomb disposal officer was seriously injured and lost a leg.
- Police found the explosive device in a backpack at a building entrance.
- The blast happened as officers moved the bag to defuse it.