Manhunt in Spain after boy killed playing football
Police in Spain are searching for a man suspected of fatally attacking an 11-year-old boy with a sharp object on a football pitch, according to local media reports.
The child was reportedly playing with other kids when he was assaulted by an individual wearing a hood.
The incident occurred in Mocejón, near Toledo, central Spain, on Sunday morning.
The suspect, described as a young man around 18 years old, fled the scene. Authorities have launched a large manhunt, involving multiple patrols and a helicopter.
RTVE reported that the attack took place around 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT), and confirmed that a dozen patrols are currently searching for the suspect.
In the afternoon, crowds gathered outside the town hall for a minute’s silence in honor of the boy.
Mocejón mayor Concepción Cedillo expressed the town’s grief, stating, “It is a sad day, with a town shattered by pain. If every murder is tragic, how much more so the murder of an innocent child who was simply playing football with his friends this morning.”
The town, with a population of about 5,000, is set to declare three days of official mourning, according to Spanish media.
Milagros Tolon, the Spanish government’s representative in the Castilla-La Mancha region, posted on X: “It is with great sadness that I receive the news of the murder of a minor in #Mocejón (Toledo) after being attacked with a sharp object.
“The Civil Guard has deployed a wide-ranging operation to arrest the perpetrator.
“All my love to the family and friends of the deceased, as well as to the people of Mocejón.”
Emiliano Garcia-Page, President of the Castilla-La Mancha region, said he was shocked by the events in Mocejón and hoped the perpetrator was found soon.
“These situations are unacceptable and must result in a just punishment.”
