The central suspect in last week’s Barcelona terror attack has been shot dead by Spanish police. Younes Abouyaaqoub, 22, was wanted by authorities after a van ploughed into crowds on Thursday, injuring over 120 pedestrians and killing 13. The Spanish resident was also suspected of stabbing another civilian to death and stealing his car as he escaped.
On Monday regional police chief Josep Lluis Trapero confirmed they had evidence that Abouyaaqoub was the driver of the van.
Abouyaaqoub was tracked down in the rural area of Subirats, west of Barcelona. Police opened fire on the suspect’s vehicle when he drove through a checkpoint, killing him instantly. After searching his body it was revealed that he was wearing a bomb belt.
The Islamic State have claimed responsibility for the attack, making it another in a series of ongoing militance by the terrorist organisation.
