A shocking incident in Valladolid has shaken Spanish public opinion. On Friday afternoon, a 16-year-old boy died after being stabbed in the chest. The alleged perpetrator of the attack is only a 13-year-old minor, who, due to his age, is not subject to criminal responsibility in Spain. Police have detained the attacker and are investigating the involvement of third parties in this tragic incident, which occurred in broad daylight in front of witnesses.

Murder of a teenager in Valladolid

The victim is a 16-year-old boy who died from a stab wound to the chest inflicted in broad daylight.

Perpetrator outside the criminal system

The alleged attacker is only 13 years old, meaning that under Spanish law, he cannot be convicted in a criminal trial.

Series of attacks across Spain

Within 48 hours, serious knife attacks were reported in Valladolid, Madrid, Barcelona, and San Andrés del Rabanedo.

The tragic incident occurred on Friday, February 20, 2026, around 2:30 PM on Democracia Street in Valladolid. According to emergency services and police reports, a 16-year-old teenager received a stab wound to the chest. Despite immediate calls for help and attempts to save his life by medical services, the young man died. The perpetrator, whose age is estimated at 13 years, was apprehended and handed over to the juvenile prosecutor's office. Under Spanish law, individuals under the age of 14 are criminally non-imputable. The investigation conducted by the National Police is currently focused on determining the motives for the crime and the role of other individuals present at the scene. Authorities are interrogating, among others, another minor girl and an adult woman who were nearby at the time of the attack. The Government Subdelegate, Jacinto Canales, confirmed that the case has already been referred to the Juvenile Prosecutor's Office. This event is part of a dark series of knife-related incidents in Spain, which have also occurred in recent days in Madrid and Barcelona. The rise in juvenile crime in Spain periodically sparks public debates about lowering the age of criminal responsibility, which is currently 14 years under the Juvenile Criminal Responsibility Act of 2000.Simultaneously, in Madrid, in the Puente de Vallecas district, another attack occurred, where a 56-year-old woman was seriously injured after being stabbed by a neighbor. In that case, police detained a total of three individuals. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, a court ordered the temporary arrest of a 20-year-old suspected of killing his stepfather. The accumulation of these brutal events has intensified the debate about public safety and the control of dangerous tools in urban spaces. „The police have handed over to the prosecutor's office a minor who, according to preliminary findings, is the alleged perpetrator of the stabbing.” — Jacinto Canales The Puente de Vallecas district in Madrid has historically struggled with higher crime rates, but in recent decades, it has become a symbol of grassroots efforts by residents for safety and social integration.

Mentioned People

  • Jacinto Canales — Spanish Government Subdelegate in Valladolid, informing the media about the investigation's progress.