Knifeman who tried to rob taxi shot and killed by cops after lunging at officer outside airport at Brit holiday hotspot
A KNIFEMAN who tried to rob a taxi and attacked a police officer has been shot and killed by cops at Gran Canaria Airport.
It is understood that the man made numerous physical attempts to stab police with a "20cm" blade, reports the
3
Officers examine documents belonging to a man who was shot and killed by police
Credit: Reuters
3
The man was said to have been carrying a 20cm knife
Credit: Reuters
3
A full investigation is now underway
Credit: Reuters
The shocking incident unfolded just before 5pm today in a busy public transport area outside the terminal, where tourists regularly hop into taxis and buses.
The outlet reports that a man, of Gambian nationality, threatened a cabbie with a large knife near the bus stop before the terrified driver bolted into the airport screaming for help.
Holidaymakers looked on in horror as Policia Nacional officers raced to the scene and confronted the armed suspect.
The man did not comply with requests to stand down and instead charged at the officers with the knife, forcing them to open fire.
One officer is said to have slipped during the scuffle, at which point the knifeman went for him.
His colleague then fired several shots to stop the attack which fatally wounded the man.
Emergency responders from both airport security and the Servicio Canario de Salud arrived rapidly and attempted resuscitation.
Despite their efforts, the man was declared dead at the scene.
Most read in The Sun
His body remained at the location for over an hour as forensic and judicial teams documented the scene.
Surveillance footage from the airport captured the incident and will be reviewed as part of the investigation.
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) handled nearly 14 million passengers in 2023, with peak footfall during the winter and summer holidays.
The airport is one of Spain's busiest and a favourite destination for millions of British tourists.
The shocking incident happened in the ground-level zone used by both Global buses and taxis - a key area for arriving and departing travellers.
Police have launched a full investigation and are reviewing CCTV, forensic evidence, and witness statements to determine whether the officers' actions complied with protocol.
A judicial review is also underway.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Several people arrested in Bali on drugs charges that could carry death penalty
Firdia Lisnawati and Edna Tarigan ©Associated Press Several foreign nationals - including an Australian, an Indian and an American - have been arrested on the tourist island of Bali on suspicion of possessing drugs, charges that could carry the death penalty. The move comes after three British nationals accused of smuggling nearly a kilogram of cocaine into Indonesia were charged on Tuesday in a court on Bali.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Several people arrested in Bali on drugs charges that could carry death penalty
Several foreign nationals – including an Australian, an Indian and an American – have been arrested on the tourist island of Bali on suspicion of possessing drugs, charges that could carry the death penalty. The move comes after three British nationals accused of smuggling nearly a kilogram of cocaine into Indonesia were charged on Tuesday in a court on Bali. Customs officers at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport arrested an Indian national with the initials HV, who was carrying a duffel bag, in the customs and excise inspection area on May 29. The officers found narcotic-related items in his belongings, authorities said. Following up on the interrogation of HV, later that day officers from the National Narcotics Agency of Bali Province arrested an Australian man with the initials PR, who has been visiting Bali since 1988. PR asked HV to bring the duffel bag from Los Angeles to Bali, said I Made Sinar Subawa, an official from the narcotics agency, at a news conference. The accused pair are presented to the media with other drug suspects following their arrests (Firdia Lisnawati/AP) During a search at a house where he stayed, officers found drugs in the form of hashish, a cannabis concentrate product, that belonged to PR and had been purchased over the Telegram messaging app. The hashish was shipped from Los Angeles and Philippines before finally being received in Bali, Mr Subawa said. Officers seized 191 grams of hashish along with some candies consisting of tetrahydrocannabinol, and 488 grams of marijuana. Both PR and HV are now suspected of dealing in narcotics, based on the evidence that was found with them, Mr Subawa said. 'PR is suspected of violating Indonesia's Narcotics Law which carries the death penalty, life imprisonment, or imprisonment for a minimum of four years and a maximum of 12 years,' said Mr Subawa. Along with HV and PR, the agency also arrested WM, an American, on May 23 while he was collecting a package from a post office in Bali. (Firdia Lisnawati/AP) An officer opened the package carried by WM and found seven pieces of silver packaging containing a total of 99 orange amphetamine pills and secured one white Apple iPhone. The agency, at a news conference in the city of Denpasar on Thursday, presented the evidence, including marijuana and hashish, seized from the suspects. All suspects will undergo legal proceedings in Indonesia, including trial and sentencing. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says Indonesia is a major drug-smuggling hub despite having some of the strictest drug laws in the world, in part because international drug syndicates target its young population. The south-east Asian country has extremely strict drug laws, and convicted smugglers can face severe penalties, including the possibility of execution by firing squad. About 530 people, including 96 foreigners, are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, latest figures from the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections show. Indonesia's last executions, of an Indonesian and three foreigners, were carried out in July 2016.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish tourists 'rushing to leave' Spain after deadly shooting in popular bar
The recent fatal shooting of two men at an Irish bar in Spain's popular Costa del Sol tourist resort has sent shockwaves through holidaymakers, including many from Ireland who frequently visit the region. Spanish authorities have confirmed investigations are underway into the incident, which is one of several shootings reported in the area recently. The victims, identified as Eddie Lyons and Ross Monaghan, are believed to be associates of the Kinahan cartel and major players in Glasgow's Lyons crime clan. Police Scotland have declined to comment further on whether the attack is linked to criminal activity in the UK. Reports indicate that Ross Monaghan owned the Irish bar named after him, where the shooting took place. The incident has raised concerns among Irish and British tourists and expatriates about safety in what is usually considered a lively and popular holiday destination, Chronicle Live reports. David Meddicks from Glasgow, who had left the bar with his wife just hours before the shooting, recalled the chaotic scenes to the BBC saying: "We went back to our hotel for food and later on at the reception of the hotel, two wee Spanish women ran in, shouting 'bang, bang, bang, bang'. We looked and we could see the police and all the blue lights. We had been thinking of going back down for another drink and decided not to bother. So I'm quite glad I didn't." An Englishman who been in the pub also told the publication: "We were there an hour before and walked back later and found out what happened. It made us want to go home, to be quite honest. You go away on holiday and you don't expect this. Really frightening." The attack happened in broad daylight, with the masked gunman firing at close range in front of stunned bystanders. Another tourist, Robert Sorman from Bathgate, commented: "You've heard of the Costa Del Crime but you never expect it to happen when you're here." Those familiar with Monaghan's bar described it as a friendly spot popular with visitors to the BBC. The violent act has prompted a response from Fuengirola's mayor Ana Mula, who met with local and national police to address rising concerns. She stated: "We live in a world and at a time where crime knows no borders. In places like the Costa del Sol, we're seeing developments that, as they spread, inevitably affect us. We need much greater involvement from the state on this issue. I intend to be relentless in demanding action on this. It's a top priority for our community and our city." Meanwhile, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed it had not yet been contacted for consular assistance regarding the shooting but is prepared to help if requested. This comes as the FCDO recently issued travel updates for Turkey and Greece following a major earthquake.
