What started as an ordinary afternoon at Gran Canaria Airport quickly turned into chaos for unsuspecting travelers.
Tourists were left stunned and terrified after an 18-year-old armed with a knife caused mayhem and was ultimately shot dead by police right outside the terminal.
The teen, a Gambian national, had reportedly tried to force his way onto a flight he wasn’t booked on, leading to a violent confrontation that escalated dangerously.
Knife-Wielding Teen Triggers Mayhem in the Terminal
The incident unfolded around 5pm on Saturday when airport staff noticed the young man attempting to board a flight to Gambia.
But there was a major red flag—his ticket was actually for a flight scheduled three days earlier.
When he was denied boarding, things took a disturbing turn.
He allegedly tried to push past airport security, setting off metal detectors with a knife hidden in his rucksack.
Not long after, he reportedly attacked a taxi driver outside the terminal, who came running inside shouting for help.
Tourists Flee as Police Move In
As the situation spiraled, terrified holidaymakers were seen running for cover.
Police rushed to the scene after hearing the taxi driver’s cries for help and quickly confronted the teen, who was now visibly agitated and dangerous.
CCTV and footage from bystanders later revealed just how chaotic the scene was.
The teen could be seen lunging toward one of the five National Police officers, knocking him to the ground.
In the panic, his colleagues opened fire—five shots rang out, one of them hitting the teen in the neck.
Officers Described Their Response as Necessary
Ibon Dominguez, a spokesperson for Spain’s Jupol police union, defended the officers’ actions, saying they responded with “proportional and congruent” force.
According to him, the teen posed a serious threat and could have easily killed one of the officers or civilians.
“He was completely out of control,” Dominguez said.
“He had a large knife, had already assaulted someone, and was moving through a very crowded area. The officers acted to protect lives.”
Teen Dies at the Scene Despite Efforts to Revive Him
Despite the quick arrival of emergency medical teams, the teen couldn’t be saved.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, having been shot multiple times.
His death was confirmed by court officials, who also verified one of the bullets struck him in the neck.
The shocking footage has now been handed over to a judge in the nearby town of Telde.
Officials there are working to piece together exactly what happened by reviewing camera footage from both inside and outside the terminal.
Investigation Underway Into How It All Unfolded
The Canary Islands High Court of Justice issued a statement confirming that the incident is under active investigation.
They’re gathering evidence, including security footage, to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Early reports suggest the young man was in a disturbed mental state and posed an immediate danger to the public.
With the airport packed with travelers, the potential for tragedy was high.
A Frightening Reminder of the Unexpected
While the investigation continues, the event has left a dark cloud over what was meant to be just another sunny weekend in Gran Canaria.
For those at the airport, it’s a day they won’t forget—an ordinary afternoon shattered by fear, violence, and a dramatic police intervention.