A violent family row in a quiet Canary Islands town spiralled out of control this weekend, ending with a man being shot by the Guardia Civil after he allegedly lunged at officers with a knife.
The shocking incident unfolded on Sunday in Vega de San Mateo, Gran Canaria, where police had been called to a heated domestic dispute. But when they arrived, they were confronted by a man in a violent frenzy, clutching a knife and refusing to stand down.
Despite repeated warnings to drop the weapon and surrender, the man continued to threaten officers. With little choice, police drew their weapons and fired a single shot into his leg to bring him down without causing fatal harm.
Dramatic scenes followed as the injured man was treated on the spot before being rushed to hospital under police guard. His condition is said to be stable.
An urgent investigation has now been launched to piece together exactly what happened. Officials insist that the decision to shoot was made to protect lives, and that officers had followed strict protocol in aiming for a non-vital part of the body.
The incident has rocked the normally peaceful community and sparked fresh debate over police use of firearms during volatile domestic disputes. More details are expected to emerge as authorities continue their probe into the alarming confrontation.
