Arrest After Online Threats
The Mossos d'Esquadra have arrested a 14-year-old girl in Barcelona following serious threats she posted on Instagram against students at the Institut Escola Londres on Comte d'Urgell street in the Eixample district. According to reports from El Periódico and confirmed by multiple outlets including ElCaso.com and COPE, the incident began on Sunday, 27 September, when parents alerted police to alarming posts on the teenager’s public Instagram profile. The girl wrote that she planned to arrive at the school on Monday morning and, during secondary school (ESO) break time, begin stabbing students at random. One message stated: "My plan is to get to school in the morning, wait for ESO break time, and stab people randomly." In another comment on the school’s own Instagram page, she wrote: "I think small children are the only ones I wouldn't kill."
Police Response and School Safety
The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police, launched an immediate investigation and detained the girl in the early hours of Monday, 28 September, around 1am. Officers deployed additional personnel to the school during the morning to ensure safety, but classes proceeded normally. The Institut Escola Londres, which has not issued a public statement, was the target of the threats, though the girl is no longer a current student. She had previously attended the school but, due to documented mental health issues, had been transferred to a special education centre in Barcelona’s upper districts.
The investigation remains open to determine the full context of the threats.
Juvenile Prosecutor to Review Case
Following standard procedure, the minor was placed under the authority of the Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office. She is scheduled to testify before prosecutors later today. The office will decide whether she will be released under supervision or placed in a youth protection facility. While the threats were explicit and caused significant concern among families, authorities have indicated that the swift police response prevented any physical incident. The investigation continues to assess the credibility and scope of the threats, as well as the role of social media in facilitating such acts.
Reported by liniaxarxa.cat, elcaso.elnacional.cat, cope.es, La Vanguardia, El Periódico Barcelona, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life, betevé, Línia Xarxa.
