Barcelona 'knifeman' seen prowling streets as woman slashed in throat and killed

A woman has been stabbed to death in a Barcelona suburb in what appears to be a random street killing. A chilling photo of a man brandishing the weapon he allegedly used to attack the victim emerged overnight as police confirmed they had made an arrest. The horror crime happened in broad daylight yesterday morning in Esplugues de Llobregat, near to Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium and home to former footballers Gerard Pique and Dani Alves. Police are still trying to establish whether the attacker knew his victim, whose age and nationality have not yet been revealed. But they have said there was no romantic relationship between the two they were aware of and well-placed sources said they were focusing on the theory it was a random stabbing. The woman, described locally as “young” and in one unconfirmed report as being of possible Asian origin, was knifed in the throat, chest and stomach. A man aged 50 was also injured in the incident after intervening. and suffered wounds to his arm but his condition is not serious. The brutal killing occurred in a residential area near Sant Joan Deu Hospital, around 11am yesterday. The suspected killer, who was wearing jeans and a hoodie and carrying a large black rusksack, was arrested around midday in Barcelona’s Les Corts neighbourhood. Esplugues de Llobregat Town Hall said in an initial statement: “We deeply regret the violent death of a person in the town and extend our condolences to their family and loved ones. “The council condemns all forms of violence and expresses its concern over these serious incidents, which affect community life and public safety. “The alleged perpetrator has already been arrested by the Mossos d’Esquadra regional police force. From the outset, the Council has been coordinating with the Mossos d’Esquadra, the force leading the investigation, and the Esplugues Local Police, and is offering all necessary institutional cooperation to help clarify the facts.” In a second statement it confirmed it had decreed two days of official mourning which started at midnight today. It described the victim as a local woman. The Mossos D’Esquadra regional police force said in its own statement in the aftermath of the fatal stabbig: “Officers have arrested a man as the suspected author of a violent death committed this afternoon in Esplugues de Llobregat in the province of Barcelona. “At around 11 am the 112 emergency number received a report that a man had injured a woman and fled the scene. Police and and the Emergency Medical Service (SEM) attended the scene, but were unable to save her life. The alleged perpetrator was later located and arrested” Footage from the scene shows a forensic tent erected, concealing the body from members of the public. Terrorism has been ruled out as a motive.