Two civilians dead and five police officers injured after shooting in northern Catalonia

Catalan police, the Mossos d'Esquadra, shot dead a man in Calldetenes (Osona), near Vic, west of Girona, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, after he barricaded himself inside his home with a firearm and held his mother and brother hostage.

According to police sources, officers from the Citizen Security Unit (USC) were dispatched to the scene, when the man opened fire on them.

Despite mediation efforts, he remained "violent and hostile," prompting the Special Intervention Group (GEI) to fatally shoot him.
Officers rescued a woman, confirmed to be the man's mother, from inside the house, where they found the lifeless body of another man, identified as his brother.

Five officers were injured during the operation: three suffered serious wounds and two minor injuries.

Gunfire

Osona police chief Josep Pericas told the press that the Mossos received a call around 2.45am, reporting gunfire and disturbances in a Calldetenes residence.

A USC unit was immediately dispatched but was "met with gunfire," Pericas said.

In response, the Mossos deployed their Special Intervention Group (GEI) and mediation services, establishing security perimeters around the house.

The man continued to behave "violently and hostile" toward the police, despite ongoing negotiations aimed at calming him.

Fearing for the safety of the hostages, officers launched a rescue operation.

According to police, during their intervention the man opened fire on GEI members, who then shot the man dead.

Once inside, police freed the woman, later confirmed as his mother, and found the body of his brother.

Aftermath

Three injured police officers were hospitalized – two in Vic and one in Barcelona – while the two officers with minor injuries have since been released, Pericas confirmed.

Catalonia’s Emergency Medical Services (SEM) deployed seven units, a medical helicopter, and a team of psychologists, with psychological support provided to officers and the woman rescued.

Police and legal investigations are ongoing.