A tragic shooting unfolded early this morning involving a 46-year-old man connected to an ongoing internal affairs probe. The sequence ended with the gunman’s death after a confrontation with National Police and Civil Guard officers at a gas station in Villagonzalo Pedernales, Burgos. Authorities say the suspect was killed amid an exchange that began when officers tried to stop his advance toward the Burgos region along the A-231 highway.
According to information released by the Castilla y Leon Government Delegation, the man opened fire on law enforcement officers attempting to halt him. In the ensuing clash, officials returned fire, and the suspect briefly took cover behind his vehicle before resuming the confrontation. The incident prompted a swift response from security forces who tracked his movements to the gas station, where the gunman—after exchanging gunfire—allegedly fled. The events underscore how quickly standoffs involving armed suspects can escalate and how police and the Civil Guard move decisively to prevent further harm.
Earlier, security services had been alerted as officers observed the gunman moving toward Burgos via a major arterial route. Police later coordinated with the Civil Guard Operations Center to monitor the suspect’s progress while preparing to end the pursuit at a point where public risk could be managed. The episode highlights the demanding and dangerous duties faced by frontline officers in high stakes pursuits and their responsibility to protect civilians while pursuing individuals who pose an immediate threat.
Another officer involved in the incident, previously stationed in Ferrol and assigned to a police post in the A Coruña area, is described as being under internal investigation related to drug trafficking. This officer was reportedly detained on related administrative grounds in connection with the broader inquiry. The evolving case shows how internal investigations can intersect with active field operations, creating additional layers of complexity for leadership and investigators as they work to establish facts and ensure accountability.
It emerged that the gun carried by another officer had been taken while the officer was on medical leave. The psychological leave, which began in mid-April due to concerns about psychophysical readiness, led to the officer transitioning to a non-operational status with pending notifications. The loss of a firearm in such circumstances adds another dimension to the incident, underscoring the importance of secure handling procedures and rigorous oversight for firearms within police facilities and during transitions between duty statuses.
According to subsequent reports, the gun involved was stolen from a colleague who later discovered the lapse in security. Investigators are examining how locker room access and surrounding procedures allowed the theft, with emphasis on the chain of custody of firearms and the safeguards meant to prevent unauthorized possession by any member of the force. Following the theft, authorities tracked the suspect as he fled in a vehicle, aware that the individual was linked to the earlier attack on officers and was now a fugitive.
Both the Civil Guard and the National Police attempted to apprehend the gunman before he reached Burgos proper. The pursuit continued to a nearby service station in the town of Villagonzalo Pedernales, where a second exchange of gunfire occurred, resulting in the suspect’s death. Despite multiple gunfire incidences that damaged several official vehicles, no officers were injured, and the incident is being reviewed by the Government Delegation as part of a standard accountability process. The immediate priority remains civilian safety and the thorough documentation of the sequence of events for later inquiries.