A light on a backpack led officers in Oviedo to suspect it might contain explosives. The bag detonated at about 8:50 a.m. on 10 November as they tried to move it away from nearby residents. TEDAX bomb-disposal specialists were already at the scene. National Police spokesman Pedro Aguado said officers were moving the package outside to protect residents when it exploded.
The blast killed Juan José Rodríguez, a sub-inspector in the National Police’s Special Canine Guide Unit, and Deny, his three-year-old German shepherd trained for police work. A second officer, a 53-year-old TEDAX specialist, was seriously injured. He survived and underwent surgery in an effort to save his leg; local reports said he was out of danger.
Police sources said the incident was believed to be linked to a neighbourhood dispute. It began with a shooting at or near an apartment building in Oviedo’s Villafría area. Shortly after 7.00, a 64-year-old man allegedly shot a 17-year-old neighbour, who was taken to hospital with her injuries. The explosion followed as police responded to the shooting. Authorities said there was no initial indication that the incident was terrorism-related.
The whereabouts of the alleged gunman, identified by the initials M. F. A., were unknown in the account. He had a previous theft record, was believed to be carrying two firearms and might also have explosives. His wife was detained. Police set up checks at Oviedo’s exits and at stations in Oviedo and Gijón while searching for him.
The second officer was wrongly reported dead. Police said a video of an arrest circulating on social media did not show the alleged suspect. The shooting and explosion were also covered in an earlier Oviedo report.
Oviedo declared two days of mourning, and the Asturias parliament held a minute’s silence. Pedro Sánchez and Adrián Barbón expressed their condolences. The Jupol police union did too.
