Two inspectors from Portugal’s PJ police force were shot while carrying out a house search this Tuesday morning in Paredes as part of a wider police operation.
The operation involves 10 searches across Porto, Matosinhos, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Fafe, Arouca, Alijó, Aveiro and Paredes related to suspected offences including sexual acts with adolescents, the use of minors in prostitution, child pornography and the grooming of minors for sexual purposes.
The incident happened shortly after 7am when inspectors attempted to enter a house in Paredes, Porto. After the suspect resisted opening the front door, one inspector entered through a rear entrance, PJ police say in a statement to the press.
Inside, he was confronted by the main target of the search, a 43-year-old man, and the two became involved in a violent struggle.
Moments later, as the second inspector moved to assist, the suspect’s 77-year-old father approached carrying a 6.35 mm pistol and immediately fired two shots at one of the officers, causing a “superficial head injury”.
During the confrontation, the younger man managed to free himself briefly and attempted to take the weapon from his father in order to use it. As one inspector restrained the older man, a third shot was fired, striking the second inspector superficially in the shoulder.
Despite their injuries, the two inspectors were able to overpower both men, who were arrested on suspicion of coercion, resisting an officer and attempted homicide.
Emergency medical teams provided first aid at the scene before both inspectors were taken to Penafiel Hospital. They are not in life-threatening condition, PJ police say.
The investigation is now set to continue.
The criminal police force also stressed that no shots were fired by the PJ inspectors, adding that they carried their service weapons “professionally and adequately”.
