Bogotá police officer wounded in CAI Galán knife attack

On August 19, 2026, a police officer was attacked with a knife at the CAI Galán police station in the Puente Aranda district of Bogotá, Colombia. Sub-inspector Ruben Ricardo Ramírez was performing duties as an information assistant when an individual, later identified as Michael Felipe Santos, entered the facility and attacked him from behind, targeting his neck.

Security footage captured the sudden assault, which led to a physical struggle that moved from inside the station to the exterior. During the confrontation, Ramírez used his service weapon to neutralize the attacker. Santos subsequently died from his injuries.

Ramírez sustained wounds to his head, arms, and other parts of his body but was treated at the Police Central Hospital and has since been discharged. Authorities are investigating the incident, with preliminary reports suggesting the officer acted in self-defense. The family of the deceased stated that Santos had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and had previously been under medical treatment.