The suspect in a knife attack that injured eight individuals at a drug rehabilitation center in the Santarém region was a patient of the institution and has been detained, according to GNR (National Republican Guard).
“Apparently, the motive for the attack was an attempt to expel the aggressor from the treatment center, which he did not comply with,” stated the public relations officer of GNR in Santarém, following the arrest of the alleged perpetrator at the Associação Picapau, a drug treatment center in Almoster.
The GNR reported that the 25-year-old man, who was attending the center, “engaged in conflict for refusing expulsion and initiated the attack using a kitchen knife,” injuring “eight individuals, none of whom were staff members.”
Among the eight injured, two were seriously hurt, with one being transported to the Hospital de Santarém and another airlifted to the Hospital de Vila Franca de Xira.
Four other victims sustained minor knife injuries, with two being treated on-site and another two receiving care at the Hospital de Santarém.
Another victim suffered minor injuries “after being struck and kicked by the assailant,” and one more person “experienced a sudden illness,” also being transported to the Hospital de Santarém.
The Lezíria Local Health Unit confirmed to Lusa that the Hospital de Santarém received four of the injured, two of whom were minor cases.
“The other two remain under observation due to the need for increased clinical monitoring,” explained the health unit.
The emergency alert was issued at 14:35, mobilizing 12 vehicles, 32 operatives, the INEM helicopter (HeliSul), and the Emergency Medical and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER) from Vila Franca de Xira.
