In a decision reached by the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice in Aragon, the appeals were resolved in favor of Pedro Lozano, known as Rambo of Requena, confirming a sentence previously handed down by the Teruel Provincial Court. Lozano, condemned to 27 years and three months of imprisonment along with a twelve-month fine, civil liability for damages, and the procedural costs, saw his appeal dismissed. The court maintained that Lozano fired with clear intent to kill and used a modified weapon to increase the harm caused, especially as a civilian officer died, underscoring the gravity of the acts committed. The ruling reaffirmed the seriousness of the crimes and the dangers Lozano posed, aligning with the perspective of the private prosecution at every major point. The decision remains subject to appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals by either party.
The court also rejected the defense’s argument that the use of altered ammunition indicated a lesser intent to kill. It found that the actions in question demonstrated a willingness to inflict severe harm, even when faced with resistance from officers who were trying to stop Lozano. The court emphasized that the use of enhanced weaponry reflected a dangerous mindset and a disregard for human life during the confrontation.
Jorge Piedrafita, representing the two Civil Guard officers shot during the incident, accepted the outcome, though not with bitterness. He publicly supported the verdict and believed it accurately reflected the facts as presented by the private prosecution. Piedrafita noted that some actions, though severe, could have consequences for the officers involved and stressed the risk taken by those who protect the public. The appellate route remains open for both sides depending on the progress of the case in higher courts.
Imitated the Russian Igor
Lozano’s presence in the Aragon region dates to mid-2020 when he sought refuge in Teruel amid a manhunt by state security forces. His first known location was a residence in El Castellar, reached by breaking in. During this period, property elements were damaged and various household items were taken, including a blanket, towels, a bedspread, a pot, a bowl, and a corkscrew.
Uniformed servicemen tracked Lozano after receiving reports of a stolen vehicle matching the description of the one previously associated with him. They characterized him as a dangerous, potentially armed individual. Lozano’s vehicle ended at a dead end on Val de Oliete street, where authorities halted the car within a few meters, identified him, and ordered him to exit.
Inside the vehicle, Lozano manipulated an object found on the front seat. As an officer stepped out of the passenger side while the partner remained in the driver’s seat, Lozano moved sideways, raised his weapon toward his head, and fired. The blast came as he aimed, with the weapon angled and his body partially out of the car; the shot did not reach the officer due to trajectory, and Lozano fled. The act clearly demonstrated a lethal intent and a willingness to endanger the life of a law enforcement official.
Armed Institute officers returned fire as Lozano attempted a second shot, though his weapon jammed. Lozano then approached within about two and a half meters of the back of the police vehicle, took cover by the door, and fired again. This second shot struck the officer, causing a severe forearm and abdominal wound, accompanied by a comminuted fracture of the ulna and radius and nerve damage, followed by acute stress. The injuries required urgent medical intervention, multiple surgeries, an extended hospital stay, intensive care, and lengthy rehabilitation with lasting physical and mental effects.
After these events Lozano fled on foot toward Calle Delicias de Muniesa, where he entered a parked car on Calle Manzanera, unlocked with keys inside, and drove it toward Andorra, a move described as echoing the earlier Russian tactic. In Andorra, Lozano accelerated with no regard for traffic laws, eventually crashing the car into a barrier at the San Jorge Pass. Yet he did not stop. He left the crash site on foot, continued through the town armed with the same shotgun used against the officers, and finally sought assistance from his brother, who helped him escape in exchange for assurances of immunity from pursuit. Lozano then switched vehicles and, with the help of the brother, fled further, only to be intercepted by a substantial Civil Guard operation that resulted in Lozano being shot in the leg and subsequently apprehended.