Police Officer and Dog Killed in Backpack Bomb Explosion in Oviedo

Juan José Rodríguez died on Tuesday in an Oviedo apartment building when a backpack bomb detonated during a police intervention, 20Minutos reported.

The blast on Rafael Urrusti street in the Villafría neighborhood occurred after officers recovered the suspicious device while responding to a shooting where a 17-year-old girl was wounded. Rodríguez, a 54-year-old subinspector in the canine unit known as ‘Jota’, was just one month away from retirement. A three-year-old German shepherd named Deny, trained in explosives detection, also died in the explosion.

A second officer, a 53-year-old TEDAX bomb disposal specialist identified by the initials F. J. G. V., suffered severe injuries and lost the vision in one eye. He underwent emergency surgery at the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias and remains hospitalized in stable condition, according to National Police spokesperson Pedro Aguado.

Rodríguez Served as Bomb Disposal Officer and Basketball Coach

Rodríguez spent years stationed in Asturias after moving from his native León, following earlier service in Tenerife. Colleagues in the Oviedo police headquarters knew him for his extensive work with police dogs. In October, the National Police awarded him a distinction alongside his canine partner during celebrations for the Guardian Angels patron saint festival.

“Today we have our hearts broken,” the National Police posted on social media.

Outside his bomb disposal duties, the injured TEDAX officer coaches youth basketball at the Colegio de la Inmaculada in Gijón, working with Benjamin and second Alevin teams. His older son also coaches at the school, where local reports highlight his active role in youth sports development.

Police Confirm Officer Survived Surgery as Oviedo Declares Mourning

Police sources confirmed that the injured officer is out of immediate danger following surgery but faces additional procedures in the coming days. The Oviedo City Council declared two days of official mourning for the death of Rodríguez.

Authorities have not yet released details regarding the origin of the backpack bomb or the suspects connected to the initial shooting.