MelaninQueen
Terror1sm historian and researcher. NEET.
- Feb 19, 2024
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Lone Attacker Crashes into Barcelona Police Station, Kills One Officer in Deadly Machete Assault
By CNN Staff | November 18, 2024
Barcelona, Spain – A devastating attack on a police station in Barcelona left one officer dead and multiple others injured when a lone man crashed a rental van into the front of the building before launching a machete assault. Authorities are still working to piece together the details of the tragic event that unfolded in the early hours of Monday morning, sparking fears of a larger, coordinated attack.
The driver of the van, identified by local law enforcement as a 28-year-old man from a nearby town, was immediately followed by officers from the station. He then exited the van, brandishing a large machete and reportedly shouting incoherent phrases. Witnesses described the assailant as wearing a homemade vest, with a visible inscription reading: "neets.net / FaceandLMS the BBC incel / shootout to neets.net and Lamarcus Small."
The wounded officers were immediately transported to nearby hospitals. One succumbed to injuries, while the second remains in critical condition, with multiple stab wounds. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the officers involved, pending notification of their families.
The assailant, whose identity is still being confirmed by Spanish authorities, is believed to have staged the attack as a suicide mission. Police sources suggest he was determined to die at the scene, possibly in a "last stand" scenario that included the van crash, the machete assault, and his final confrontation with the officers.
Law enforcement is working closely with cyber experts to trace the origins of the message and determine whether it represents a broader pattern of radicalization. Early reports suggest that the assailant may have been a member of one or more online communities that promote violence and encourage suicidal behavior.
“We are treating this as a tragic, isolated event, but we remain vigilant,” said Inspector General Ana García, head of the Guardia Urbana police. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and we are doing everything in our power to ensure the safety of our officers and citizens.”
Meanwhile, residents of Barcelona have expressed shock and fear over the attack. Local businesses were advised to increase security as a precautionary measure. Social media has been flooded with tributes to the fallen officer, and many have called for greater attention to the rise of radical online subcultures that may inspire such violence.
“We are seeing an increase in these kinds of attacks, where individuals—often with no clear connection to organized groups—act out violently based on ideologies they have encountered online,” said Dr. Luis Herrera, a criminologist at the University of Barcelona. “The internet has become a breeding ground for radicalization, and this incident may very well be another example of that.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also addressed the nation following the attack. "This is a dark day for Spain," Sánchez said. "We stand united in our resolve to protect our citizens from such senseless violence and will continue to investigate and take action to prevent these attacks in the future."
As the investigation continues, Spanish officials are calling for increased vigilance and cooperation with international law enforcement to combat online radicalization. In the meantime, Barcelona remains on edge as the city processes the impact of this shocking and senseless act of violence.
By CNN Staff | November 18, 2024
Barcelona, Spain – A devastating attack on a police station in Barcelona left one officer dead and multiple others injured when a lone man crashed a rental van into the front of the building before launching a machete assault. Authorities are still working to piece together the details of the tragic event that unfolded in the early hours of Monday morning, sparking fears of a larger, coordinated attack.
Incident Overview
At approximately 3:30 AM local time, a white van was seen speeding towards the Guardia Urbana police station on the outskirts of Barcelona's Eixample district. Surveillance footage captured the moment the vehicle struck the front gates with immense force, sending debris flying and causing severe damage to the building's facade.The driver of the van, identified by local law enforcement as a 28-year-old man from a nearby town, was immediately followed by officers from the station. He then exited the van, brandishing a large machete and reportedly shouting incoherent phrases. Witnesses described the assailant as wearing a homemade vest, with a visible inscription reading: "neets.net / FaceandLMS the BBC incel / shootout to neets.net and Lamarcus Small."
The Attack
After exiting the vehicle, the suspect advanced toward the station with aggressive intent. Sources close to the investigation say that officers attempted to subdue the attacker, but were unsuccessful. The lone man managed to injure two officers before he was shot and fatally wounded by returning fire from law enforcement.The wounded officers were immediately transported to nearby hospitals. One succumbed to injuries, while the second remains in critical condition, with multiple stab wounds. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the officers involved, pending notification of their families.
The assailant, whose identity is still being confirmed by Spanish authorities, is believed to have staged the attack as a suicide mission. Police sources suggest he was determined to die at the scene, possibly in a "last stand" scenario that included the van crash, the machete assault, and his final confrontation with the officers.
The Mysterious Signature
One of the most concerning aspects of the incident is the strange and cryptic message left on the assailant's vest. The phrase "neets.net / FaceandLMS the BBC incel / shootout to neets.net and Lamarcus Small" has raised questions about the possible motivations behind the attack. Investigators are examining possible links to online communities associated with extremist ideologies, including those connected to "incel" (involuntary celibate) movements. The names referenced—neets.net and Lamarcus Small—appear to be aliases tied to controversial forums and have fueled speculation about the attacker's potential affiliations.Law enforcement is working closely with cyber experts to trace the origins of the message and determine whether it represents a broader pattern of radicalization. Early reports suggest that the assailant may have been a member of one or more online communities that promote violence and encourage suicidal behavior.
Investigation and Public Response
Following the attack, Spanish officials have launched a full investigation into the incident. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a larger network behind the attack, though initial findings suggest the assailant acted alone.“We are treating this as a tragic, isolated event, but we remain vigilant,” said Inspector General Ana García, head of the Guardia Urbana police. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and we are doing everything in our power to ensure the safety of our officers and citizens.”
Meanwhile, residents of Barcelona have expressed shock and fear over the attack. Local businesses were advised to increase security as a precautionary measure. Social media has been flooded with tributes to the fallen officer, and many have called for greater attention to the rise of radical online subcultures that may inspire such violence.
A Troubling Trend
The attack in Barcelona is the latest in a series of violent incidents linked to online radicalization in Europe. Experts warn that lone-wolf attacks, often fueled by extremist online communities, are on the rise, and this incident may be indicative of a troubling trend.“We are seeing an increase in these kinds of attacks, where individuals—often with no clear connection to organized groups—act out violently based on ideologies they have encountered online,” said Dr. Luis Herrera, a criminologist at the University of Barcelona. “The internet has become a breeding ground for radicalization, and this incident may very well be another example of that.”
International Reaction
The European Union and several countries, including the United States, have condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with Spain in the wake of the tragedy. The U.S. Embassy in Madrid released a statement offering condolences to the victims' families and reaffirming its support for Spain in its fight against extremism.Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also addressed the nation following the attack. "This is a dark day for Spain," Sánchez said. "We stand united in our resolve to protect our citizens from such senseless violence and will continue to investigate and take action to prevent these attacks in the future."
As the investigation continues, Spanish officials are calling for increased vigilance and cooperation with international law enforcement to combat online radicalization. In the meantime, Barcelona remains on edge as the city processes the impact of this shocking and senseless act of violence.
