Knifeman who tried to rob taxi shot and killed by cops after lunging at officer outside airport at Brit holiday hotspot
A KNIFEMAN who tried to rob a taxi and attacked a police officer has been shot and killed by cops at Gran Canaria Airport.
It is understood that the man made numerous physical attempts to stab police with a “20cm” blade, reports the Canary News.
The shocking incident unfolded just before 5pm today in a busy public transport area outside the terminal, where tourists regularly hop into taxis and buses.
The outlet reports that a man, of Gambian nationality, threatened a cabbie with a large knife near the bus stop before the terrified driver bolted into the airport screaming for help.
Holidaymakers looked on in horror as Policia Nacional officers raced to the scene and confronted the armed suspect.
The man did not comply with requests to stand down and instead charged at the officers with the knife, forcing them to open fire.
One officer is said to have slipped during the scuffle, at which point the knifeman went for him.
His colleague then fired several shots to stop the attack which killed the knifeman.
Emergency responders from both airport security and the Servicio Canario de Salud arrived rapidly and attempted resuscitation.
Despite their efforts, the man was declared dead at the scene.
His body remained at the location for over an hour as forensic and judicial teams documented the scene.
Surveillance footage from the airport captured the incident and will be reviewed as part of the investigation.
Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) handled nearly 14 million passengers in 2023, with peak footfall during the winter and summer holidays.
The airport is one of Spain‘s busiest and a favourite destination for millions of British tourists.
The shocking incident happened in the ground-level zone used by both Global buses and taxis – a key area for arriving and departing travellers.
Police have launched a full investigation and are reviewing CCTV, forensic evidence, and witness statements to determine whether the officers’ actions complied with protocol.
A judicial review is also underway.