Police officer was shot dead by his father-in-law in Lleida

A police officer was shot dead by his father-in-law in Lleida, western Catalonia, on Wednesday, according to the Catalan News Agency (ACN).

Mossos d'Esquadra police have already arrested the alleged perpetrator, a man aged 78 years. He was detained at the crime scene, on 17 Doctora Castells Street.

The criminal investigations unit of the Mossos d'Esquadra police has taken over the investigation, under secrecy, to clarify the reasons behind the shooting.

Police sources believe that the shot was fired for family reasons, and it was not related to the victim's occupation.

Emergency services were warned at 3:20 pm. Authorities deployed several police patrols, as well as medical support.

Agents found the body with clear signs of violence.

Residents near the site heard several gunshots, between four and five.

The alleged perpetrator would have remained next to the victim, would have placed the gun inside a bag, called Mossos, and awaited for them to detain him.

He would have covered the body of the shot police officer with a white blanket while he waited for Mossos to arrive at the crime scene.

A few minutes after the shots, many people surrounded the area out of curiosity.