Suspect “still at large”; injured transported to hospital
Early this afternoon, a man armed with a ‘catana’ (type of machete) invaded Torres Vedras town hall, threatening several employees and leaving four people injured.
Initial reports by Rádio Oeste suggest the suspect fled, and so far has not been apprehended by authorities.
After the attack, council staff evacuated the building while searches got underway to make sure the man was not still inside the building.
The injured people were taken to Torres Vedras hospital. Their injuries being described initially as ‘minor’.
PSP police and local firefighters were the first on the scene.
Local news outlet RTVon reports that “a disagreement about a work contract for one of the relatives of the aggressor” appears to have been what prompted the attack. Thus, authorities clearly know the man’s identity. Correio da Manhã has already come up with an age for the suspect: 51. It is almost certainly only a matter of time before he is located, or hands himself in to police.
According to SIC Notícias, the incident began at 1pm: the suspect ‘entered the services area in an excited state’ with a ‘bag containing an object’. It is not known what was inside the bag, says SIC, which has dropped its initial reference to the ‘catana’.
“At least four people were injured with ‘bruises’ and were taken to Torres Vedras Hospital with minor injuries. Two of the injured have already left hospital.
According to Lusa, the man went to the first floor, where he injured four employees. Mayor, Laura Rodrigues referred to this as a ‘personal case’ with an employee and not about ‘the provision of council services’.
Employees returned to work an hour after the town hall was evacuated.
The man left the building without being apprehended by the police.
Updates to follow.
