The Civil Guard has arrested a 20-year-old young man as a suspect in the stabbing death of Mateo, an 11-year-old boy who was playing football with his friends on Sunday morning at a sports center in Mocejón, Spain. The arrested individual, who was in the same town where the crime took place, has admitted his involvement in the events during his police statement. The Government Delegate, Milagros Tolón, described the murder as a “barbaric act” that has left everyone in a state of shock. The motive of the crime has not yet been clarified as the investigation is ongoing. The incident occurred at ten in the morning last Sunday when the victim, a boy named Mateo, was playing with two other minors in the sports facility, when a young man with a covered face entered the premises, approached the group of minors, and attacked the boy with a knife before fleeing. The weapon used in the attack has not yet been recovered.
The investigation into the murder of Mateo is being conducted by the Civil Guard’s Judicial Police Unit and the Information Group of the Toledo Command. The court in charge of the case has ordered the proceedings to be kept confidential. The suspect, described by neighbors as a young man with blonde hair, of medium height, and very thin, was arrested at a residence in Mocejón. The residence where the young man was found has been a focus of the investigation. According to sources, the suspect lives in Madrid with his mother and stays with his father or grandmother when he visits the town. The community has gathered around the residence where the suspect was found, with many people eager for information and updates on the case. The victim, Mateo, was a well-known boy in the small town, as his family runs a bakery. The family’s spokesperson expressed gratitude for the support received and requested respect for all involved, while emphasizing the need for justice over vengeance.
The President of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, thanked the Civil Guard, police, and the people of Mocejón for their behavior during such a tragic event. He expressed support for Mateo’s family and friends, calling for the law and justice to be followed. The investigation has also focused on the sports facility where the attack took place. Authorities have examined the area including a nearby open field and various openings in the fencing surrounding the facility. The search for the weapon used in the attack continues, with additional investigative work being done in the surrounding terrain. The Justicia para la Guardia Civil (JUCIL) association has called for a review of the security model in rural areas like Mocejón to ensure an adequate number of law enforcement officers and a wider deployment area to improve response times in such incidents.
The tragic death of Mateo has deeply affected the community of Mocejón and beyond. The shock and sadness of the incident have prompted calls for justice and work to prevent such tragedies from happening again, with a focus on ensuring the safety of rural areas and swift responses to emergencies. The details of the case continue to unfold as the investigation progresses, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the murder and offering a glimpse into the lives of those involved. The support and unity shown by the community during this difficult time are a testament to their resilience and commitment to seeking justice for Mateo and his family.
