Spanish police eliminate Barcelona van terrorist

After an intense manhunt, the Islamic terrorist who drove a van into crowds of people in Barcelona last week has been found and shot dead.

Regional police in Spain have confirmed that fugitive Barcelona terror suspect Younes Abouyaaqoub has been shot dead in a small town outside the city.

Police say he wore what appeared to be an explosives belt when he was shot in Subirats, 45 kilometers (28 miles) west of Barcelona.

Abouyaaqoub, 22, of Moroccan origin, was the final target of an intense manhunt after he used a van to mow down pedestrians in Barcelona’s famous Las Ramblas promenade on Thursday, killing 13 people and injuring over 120. Police also say he stabbed a driver to death and hijacked his car Thursday night during his getaway.

A second attack, soon after the Las Ramblas attack, carried out by other members of the 12-member jihadi cell, killed one person and injured several more in the coastal town of Cambrils. Police killed five suspected terrorists in a shootout that followed. Four others were arrested.

In total, 120 people were wounded in both attacks, 50 of whom remain hospitalized from both attacks, nine in critical condition, authorities said.

The Islamic State terror organization claimed responsibility for the attacks.

On Monday, mourners could be seen weeping and hugging each other as they visited the main memorial site of the Barcelona attack. Many continued to place flowers, candles and heart-shaped balloons at Las Ramblas and at other, smaller tributes located at different points where the van had driven by.

By: World Israel News Staff and AP

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