San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria - A 32-year-old man, with no prior criminal record, has been arrested by the National Police for allegedly committing homicide. The suspect reportedly used a chokehold technique known as the "mataleón" on a tourist at the Chic nightclub located in the Kasbah shopping center. The incident occurred when the tourist was allegedly causing a disturbance and subsequently lost his life.

The National Police reported that the incident was first alerted early on Wednesday, July 24, through an emergency call to 091, which indicated that a person was lying lifeless on the ground near a leisure venue in Playa del Inglés.

Upon receiving the call, multiple units, including the Citizen Attention Group, Judicial Police, Scientific Police, and emergency services, rushed to the scene. They confirmed the presence of a man with no signs of life, prompting them to cordon off the area.

Police investigators began gathering information from witnesses, nightclub staff, friends, and the deceased's wife. Initial reports suggested that the man might have suffered a heart attack, as acquaintances mentioned he had consumed drugs that night. However, visible marks on his neck led authorities to send the body to the Forensic Institute for further examination.

Several witnesses informed the police that an employee of the nightclub had used the "mataleón" technique on the tourist because he was highly agitated. During the immobilization, the man collapsed.

Security camera footage reviewed by the investigators corroborated the witnesses' accounts, showing an employee applying a chokehold to the victim, who then collapsed. A subsequent forensic report confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxiation.

Given the risk of the suspect fleeing, a search operation was initiated. Once located, the suspect was immediately arrested and later brought before the competent judicial authority, which ordered his immediate imprisonment.

The "mataleón" is a chokehold technique originating from martial arts. It involves using both arms to apply pressure around the neck, with the elbow positioned in front of the trachea, pressing one side of the neck with the forearm and the other with the bicep. This technique typically takes between five and nine seconds to incapacitate the victim by cutting off their airflow. However, if applied for too long, it can be fatal or cause severe injuries, such as tracheal damage, cervical injuries, or even vertebral displacement and neck fractures.

In recent years, the "mataleón" has become popular among street thieves, particularly in robberies targeting individuals withdrawing money from ATMs. This technique is also commonly taught in self-defense courses, alongside methods to escape from it.

The incident unfolded in the early hours of July 24 at a nightclub in the Kasbah shopping center. The National Police received a call about a man lying lifeless near the venue. Responding officers from various units and emergency services confirmed the man's death at the scene and secured the area.

Witnesses reported seeing a nightclub employee applying the "mataleón" to the agitated tourist, who then collapsed. Security footage and a forensic report confirmed asphyxiation as the cause of death. The suspect, who was at risk of fleeing, was apprehended and subsequently jailed following a judicial order.

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of using potentially lethal techniques in conflict situations and underscores the need for proper training and restraint in their application.