A 13-year-old boy has been killed in a horrific attack in the Portuguese town of Tomar, with the suspect later dying in a gas explosion, according to reports from local authorities and news outlets.
Details of the Tomar Attack
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday in the popular tourist destination. The victim, a teenage boy, was allegedly stabbed by his mother's former partner. Portuguese news website Diario de Noticias reported that after the stabbing, the attacker barricaded himself inside the property.
Fatal Explosion and Injuries
The situation escalated dramatically when the barricaded suspect allegedly caused a gas explosion. The blast proved fatal for the attacker and resulted in injuries to two other people. The child's mother and a member of the GNR, Portugal's National Republican Guard, were both hit by shrapnel from the explosion, as reported by the Mirror.
History of Domestic Violence
Authorities had been alerted to the scene around noon local time following a report of domestic violence. A source from the Santarém Territorial Command told the Lusa news agency that officers discovered a scene involving a "homicide followed by suicide." Luís Freire, president of the local Parish Council of Casais/Alviobeira, confirmed to SIC Notícias that this was a case already known to authorities due to previous episodes of domestic violence.
The community of Tomar and Portuguese authorities are now dealing with the aftermath of this devastating event, which underscores the severe consequences of domestic violence.
