Teenager Shot Dead by Police at Gran Canaria Airport After Knife Rampage

An 18-year-old man from Gambia was shot and killed by police at Gran Canaria Airport after allegedly threatening passengers and attacking a taxi driver with a large knife.

According to Spanish authorities, the teenager—whose identity has not been officially released—was shot five times, including once in the neck, after lunging at police officers and attempting to assault multiple people. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

What Happened?

The disturbing incident occurred on Saturday, when the teen reportedly tried to board a flight to Gambia using a ticket that was valid for Thursday, not the day of the attack. When airport staff refused him entry, he allegedly attempted to force his way through security.

During the attempt, a security scanner was triggered, reportedly because of a knife hidden in his rucksack. He then ran into the airport terminal, where witnesses say he threatened holidaymakers and attacked a taxi driver before confronting a group of Spanish National Police officers.

Shocking Footage Emerges

Video footage of the scene shows chaos unfolding, with passengers running for cover and the young man charging at police. One officer is seen falling to the ground as the suspect appears to attempt a stabbing attack, leading the officers to open fire.

The Canary Islands High Court of Justice confirmed a duty court in Telde has opened an investigation. They are currently reviewing footage from multiple surveillance cameras to reconstruct the events.

“The videos show that the deceased was apparently out of his mind and carrying a large knife,” the court stated. “He attacked a taxi driver, knocked down a police officer, and wandered armed in a crowded area, creating real danger for people’s safety.”

Police Response

Ibon Dominguez, a spokesperson for police union Jupol, defended the officers’ actions, calling them “proportional and congruent.”

“The man with the knife could easily have ended the lives of one of those policemen,” Dominguez said.

Investigation Underway

Forensic teams were seen examining the suspect’s documents and collecting evidence at the airport. Officials confirmed the attacker was 18 years old and that the investigation remains ongoing.