British boy, 13, stabbed to death in Portugal before house blown up in gas explosion
A 13-year-old British boy who was suspected of being behind the attack by the boy’s mother’s partner has died following a stabbing in Portugal, police said.
After receiving a report of domestic violence at a home in Casais, in the municipality of Tomar, authorities found that the teenager and the suspected attacker suffered multiple stab wounds.
Within minutes of arriving on the scene, a suspicious gas explosion, believed to have been caused deliberately by the attacker, engulfed the house, injuring a police officer in the process.
The young man was found in cardiorespiratory arrest and was pronounced dead at the scene. The 43-year-old suspected perpetrator also died.
Police said the mother “was found by authorities showing signs of being restrained and assaulted and was subsequently taken to the nearest hospital.” Accordingly SIC NoticesHe had recently called 112 and asked for help from his neighbors.
It was alleged that the 43-year-old suspect attacked the child with a knife and then barricaded himself inside the house. Diaries Noticias reported.
“Both the attacker and the minor had multiple injuries caused by a sharp weapon, but although signs of life were still detectable, death was declared at the scene a few minutes later,” the statement said.
He has already been sentenced to prison for aggravated murder and has been the subject of domestic violence complaints since 2022, police said.
Luis Freire, president of the local church council, told Portuguese media that the local case had already been flagged by authorities due to previous incidents of domestic violence.
He emphasized that this was a “complex situation” of which the GNR (National Republican Guard) was already aware.
The couple has been separated since 2023, but the man regularly visits their home in the town in central Portugal, SIC Noticias reports.
The woman, who was slightly injured in the attack, receives psychological support from the authorities.
Police said in a statement: “There was a strong odor of gas inside the house which led to an explosion a few minutes later which injured one of the GNR officers.
“The alleged perpetrator had already served a prison sentence for aggravated murder and the family had been flagged following recorded cases of domestic violence in 2022 and 2023.”
In the statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the following statements were made: “Following the incident in Portugal, we are in contact with local authorities and are ready to provide consular support.”
Leiria Forensic Police (PJ) coordinator Sílvia Lopes said that forensic officers from the Judicial Police are currently inspecting the site. lusa news agency.
