Barcelona Prison Authorities Euthanise “Gunslinger” With Reluctance From Victims – S.O.S. Death
On August 24, the Spanish prison system finally followed a court order to help 46‑year‑old Eugen Sabau end his life after a bloody shoot‑out left him paralyzed and begging for relief.
Who Was Eugen Sabau?
He was a former security guard turned “Gunslinger of Tarragona.” In December he shot three coworkers (one a woman) at his job, then fired at a police officer while trying to escape.
What Went Down in the Prison?
- After the shoot‑out, Sabau was left with tetraplegia, one leg amputated, and excruciating chronic pain.
- No painkillers could keep the agony at bay, so he declared his life unbearable.
- A tactical police unit burst in, shooting him again before he fled the house armed with an arsenal.
The Legal Drama
Although victims pleaded for justice, a court in Tarragona ruled that Sabau had the fundamental right to request euthanasia under the hard circumstances.
The case even reached Spain’s Constitutional Court, which declined to hear the matter, saying no violation of fundamental rights occurred.
Spain’s New Euthanasia Law
Spain legalized euthanasia just over a year ago. Before that, assisting a death could land you up to a decade in jail.
- Since the law’s entry on June 25, at least 172 people have taken advantage of this new right.
- Sabau’s death is one of those 172, proving the policy’s immediate impact.
Final Notes
Prison authorities refused comment, and Sabau’s lawyer stayed silent. In the end, the result was tragic: the man who once pulled the trigger from inside a facility chose death over a life of pain.
