An armed man caused widespread panic in Reus, Tarragona, on Saturday night after threatening passers-by with a knife and a replica revolver in the city's Plaça de les Oques.
The tense situation began around 11:15pm when the individual started walking through the busy square, openly brandishing both a bladed weapon and what appeared to be a handgun. People in the vicinity, terrified by the sight of the armed man and fearing he might attack or shoot indiscriminately, immediately began to run for safety and called the 112 emergency services to alert authorities.
Officers from the Mossos d'Esquadra were quickly dispatched to the central square in Reus, the capital of the Baix Camp region. Upon arrival, they located the man and attempted to engage him in conversation, aiming to calm him down and persuade him to surrender the weapons he was using to threaten people.
The man, however, repeatedly ignored the officers' instructions. He kept his hands in his pockets, refusing to comply with their requests to show what he was carrying. When he eventually removed one hand, it was not in a conciliatory manner, but to pull out the hidden dagger.
Arrest After Standoff
Faced with the immediate threat of the man potentially attacking them or other members of the public, the Mossos officers acted decisively to subdue him. They successfully disarmed him of the knife. During a subsequent search, they also discovered an airsoft revolver. While this weapon was later confirmed not to be capable of firing real ammunition, its realistic appearance was sufficient to cause significant fear and alarm among those on the street, according to police sources.
The 45-year-old Spanish national, who is known to police and has a record of previous incidents, was subsequently arrested. He faces multiple charges, including a crime of threats, illegal possession of weapons, and resistance and disobedience to authority for his actions towards the officers.
Fortunately, the incident concluded without anyone sustaining physical injuries, although the individuals who witnessed the events were left deeply shaken by the experience. The Mossos d'Esquadra continue their investigation into the matter, reinforcing their commitment to public safety in Reus.
