TORRE-PACHECO, MURCIA, SPAIN – JULY 9, 2025 Brutal assault on an elderly man occurred, which later triggered widespread riots. The victim was a 68 to 70-year-old (sources differ on the exact age) retiree named Domingo, who had gone out early in the morning for his usual walk near the local cemetery when he was attacked for no apparent reason by a group of young men.
Aftermath photo
According to the victim’s testimony, the attackers ran toward him, knocked him to the ground, and began kicking and punching him. Domingo later stated that the perpetrators did not steal anything from him — they could have taken his watch and keys, but left everything at the scene. This led investigators to conclude that robbery was likely not the motive. A theory emerged that the attack may have been linked to a so-called viral internet challenge in which perpetrators assault random victims and record the attack on their mobile phones for social media.
Spanish authorities later identified three suspects, with the main attacker being detained after fleeing the region. According to media reports, they were young men of North African origin. However, the attack itself did not remain just a criminal case – it quickly became the trigger for a broader social crisis.
Misinformation, fake videos, and calls for retaliation began spreading on social media. Anti-immigration riots later broke out in the city, during which people of North African origin and their businesses were attacked. Reinforced police units had to be deployed to the streets to restore order and prevent further clashes. The incident showed how quickly a single violent act can turn into a much broader wave of tension and violence.
