BTN News: The small town of Mocejón, located in the province of Toledo and home to about 5,000 residents, woke up this Monday to a devastating reality that has left the entire community in deep shock. The horrific event occurred on Sunday morning, when a young boy named Mateo, only eleven years old, was brutally stabbed to death while playing football with friends at the town’s sports complex. The assailant, whose face was covered, managed to flee the scene, leaving the town reeling from the senseless violence. Authorities are now urgently searching for the perpetrator, who was reportedly driving an old, gray Ford Mondeo. As the investigation unfolds, the town is gripped by grief and a desperate need for answers.
The tragic incident took place around 9:50 a.m. on a sweltering August morning at the Ángel Tardío sports complex, a place where children often gather to enjoy their summer days. Mateo, along with two friends, was engaged in a game of football, blissfully unaware of the terror that was about to strike. According to local residents, the sports facility has a section of the fence that is broken, providing an alternative entry point that the attacker may have used. This detail has led investigators to speculate that the assailant could be someone familiar with the area, possibly even a local resident.
Eyewitnesses recount that the attacker initially approached a group of teenagers, around 15 years old, who managed to escape unscathed. The perpetrator then turned his attention to the younger children and swiftly attacked them, ultimately inflicting eleven stab wounds on Mateo, three of which were to his chest. The brutality of the crime suggests that the killer’s intent was to cause as much harm as possible, rather than targeting Mateo specifically. Despite immediate efforts to save him, Mateo succumbed to his injuries on the side of the football field.
Panic spread through the sports complex as the assailant fled the scene. It is believed that he was armed with a knife or similar sharp object. There have been reports that authorities are searching for a young man, approximately 16 years old, with blonde, closely-cropped hair. However, these details remain unconfirmed, and there is also information indicating that the killer may have a distinctive tattoo on his hand.
The sports complex is equipped with a 360-degree rotating camera, and the town has additional security cameras with license plate readers at its entrances and exits. These surveillance recordings could prove crucial in the ongoing manhunt for the suspect.
The news of the murder spread rapidly throughout Mocejón, where Mateo’s family is well-known, as they run one of the town’s bakeries. By the afternoon, the community gathered in the Plaza de España for a minute of silence to honor the young boy’s memory. The atmosphere was one of profound sorrow, as the town struggled to come to terms with the loss of an innocent life.
In a heartfelt statement, local officials expressed their deepest condolences to Mateo’s family and friends. “There is no comfort for the suffering of his parents, no way to fill the void of his absence, but we want to extend our sincerest sympathy to Mateo’s family and loved ones, who are enduring an unimaginable pain,” the statement read. The community also expressed its full support for the ongoing investigation, hoping that justice will be served swiftly and that the perpetrator will face the full consequences of the law.
The mayor of Mocejón, Concepción Cedillo, addressed the media, emphasizing the profound impact of this tragedy on the town. “This is the worst thing one can experience as a mayor,” she stated, her voice heavy with emotion. “Today is a sad day, with a town broken by grief, and while every murder is heartbreaking, the pain is magnified when it involves an innocent child who was simply playing football with his friends.” Cedillo urged the public to allow the police and Guardia Civil to do their work without interference, stressing the importance of avoiding speculation and ensuring that the investigation proceeds smoothly.
Esther Padilla, the spokesperson for the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, also attended the gathering in Mocejón, offering her condolences on behalf of the entire government. “There are no words to describe such a horrific crime,” she said after spending time with Mateo’s grieving family and friends. Padilla expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to apprehend the killer, adding that the community is united in its desire for justice.
The spokesperson also called for restraint from those who might seek to incite panic or spread misinformation, echoing the need for patience as the authorities work to identify and capture the assailant.
As the town of Mocejón grapples with this tragedy, the words of Asell Sánchez, a journalist with TRECE and a cousin of the young victim, resonate deeply. Speaking on behalf of the family, Sánchez described Mateo as a kind and loving child, emphasizing the shock and disbelief that has engulfed the community. “There were no suspicions, this is a peaceful town, nothing like this has ever happened here,” he said, his voice tinged with sorrow. “We are in a state of shock, unable to comprehend what has happened.”
The murder of Mateo has shattered the tranquility of Mocejón, leaving a community searching for solace and answers. As the investigation continues, the town remains united in its grief, determined to see justice served for a young life taken far too soon.
