A woman was stabbed to death in the Barcelona suburb of Esplugues de Llobregat on Saturday morning, according to police, who said the attack occurred at around 11am. Witnesses cited by the Spanish newspapers El Mundo and Telecinco told reporters that the attacker was heard shouting Allah immediately before the assault. Local residents described the suspect as a Moroccan individual, El Mundo reported, but officials from the Mossos d'Esquadra have not yet confirmed his nationality.
Jose Luis, a witness who intervened during the attack, told reporters that the stabbing seemed entirely random and unprovoked. The victim was stabbed multiple times in the throat, chest, and stomach, he recounted. Jose Luis told reporters that he was injured when he stepped in to confront the attacker. According to Jose Luis, the attacker gave no indication of a motive before striking.
The Catalan police force, Mossos d'Esquadra, confirmed that the victim was an adult, dismissing inaccurate social media reports that she was a 16-year-old minor. Police sources also stated that there was no romantic relationship between the victim and the attacker, contrary to some online speculation. According to El Mundo, social media posts had initially claimed the victim was a teenager, but authorities set the record straight. The police emphasized that the attack was not connected to any personal relationship between the individuals involved.
Mossos d'Esquadra announced that the suspect was arrested around midday on Saturday in the Les Corts district of Barcelona. He was wearing jeans and a hoodie, and carrying a large black rucksack, which matched the description provided by witnesses such as Jose Luis. The Daily Mail reported that a local resident had observed the suspect in the area days earlier, and told the newspaper his behaviour suggested he was scouting the location.
Esplugues de Llobregat Town Hall released a statement strongly condemning the violent killing and offering its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. Separately, an unconfirmed report by El Mundo suggested the victim was young and possibly of Asian descent. Authorities have not yet released the victim's exact age or identity, and the motive behind the stabbing remains under investigation. The murder has sparked concern among local residents, who have expressed their shock and called for swift justice.