Search for 11-year-old boy killed while playing football

Spanish police are searching for a man suspected of killing an 11-year-old boy with a sharp object on a football field, local media reports.

The victim was reportedly playing with other children when he was attacked by a hooded person.

The attack occurred on Sunday morning in Mocejón, near the city of Toledo in central Spain.

The suspect, reportedly a young man around 18 years old, then fled the scene. A large-scale manhunt is underway.

Broadcaster RTVE said government sources confirmed the attack took place around 10:00 a.m. local time. It said a dozen patrols were searching for the suspect and a helicopter was involved in the search.

Mocejón, a town of about 5,000 inhabitants, will declare three days of official mourning, according to Spanish media.

Milagros Tolon, representative of the Spanish government in the region of Castile-La Mancha, posted on X: “It is with great sadness that I receive the news of the murder of a minor in #Mocejón (Toledo), who was murdered after being attacked with a sharp object.

“The Guardia Civil has launched a large-scale operation to arrest the perpetrator.

“All my love to the family and friends of the deceased and to the people of Mocejón.”

Emiliano Garcia-Page, president of the Castile-La Mancha region, said he was shocked by the events in Mocejón and hoped the perpetrator would be found soon.

“These situations are unacceptable and must lead to just punishment.”