Lorraine Williamson
The Tenerife family killing inquiry is underway after a 10-year-old boy was killed in Cabo Blanco, in the municipality of Arona, in the early hours of Friday. His mother was left critically injured, while the suspected attacker — a 34-year-old man — died after being shot by Guardia Civil officers during the response, according to police sources.
Emergency services were called at around 1.00 am after neighbours reported a disturbance at a home in the area. When officers arrived, they found the child dead inside the property and the woman seriously injured, sources told EFE.
What police say happened
Investigators say the man was carrying a machete and threatened officers as they tried to detain him. One Guardia Civil officer was injured during the confrontation. The suspect was then shot and died at the scene.
The woman was taken to hospital in a critical condition, local reporting said, with her prognosis still described as very serious later in the morning. (Cadena SER)
How the case is being handled
The investigation is being treated as a suspected case of gender-based violence, Spanish outlets reported, and initial court procedures are being handled locally, with the case potentially moving to a specialised violence-against-women court.
Officials have also said there were no prior complaints on record and no known criminal background for the suspect, according to the Canary Islands High Court’s communications office.
Arona’s town hall has announced two days of official mourning, with local representatives describing the community as “shocked” by the killing.
A tragedy with a wider national context
Spain has spent more than a decade tracking cases where children are killed in the context of domestic abuse as a form of “vicarious violence”. El País notes official tallies compiled since 2013 for minors killed in this context.For readers, the most important point is also the simplest: this is an evolving investigation, and the next updates are likely to come from court proceedings, medical reports on the woman’s condition, and official police statements.
Where to seek help in Spain
If you or someone you know is at risk, Spain’s 016 service provides information and support for violence against women, and operates 24/7 (with additional channels including WhatsApp). In an emergency, call 112.