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An Italian gunman wounded six African immigrants in a two-hour drive-by shooting in Macerata this Saturday morning. Police later identified the suspect behind the shooting as Luca Traini.
The shooting may have been a response to the killing of a teenager, 18-year-old Pamela Mastropietro, who was eventually found cut up and placed in two suitcases, an incident that occurred days before, according to police. A Nigerian migrant was later arrested in connection with her death.
At the time of the shooting, police warned residents to stay inside during the shootings on social media. Public transport was halted and students were kept inside schools, which are open on Saturday in the country.
According to The Daily Star, Italian police wrote the following on social media:
“Gunshots in Macerata. There are wounded. Police operation in progress. Stay in shelter and avoid outdoor areas.”
In a statement, Romano Carancini, the mayor of Macerata also released the following:
“Stay at home until further notice. There is an armed man in a car who is shooting in the city.”
Who is Luca Traini?
Traini was a candidate for the anti-migrant Northern League party in a local election last year in the city of Corridonia, although he did not win.
The Italian newspaper, il Resto di Carlino, released a video that showed the suspect had the Italian flag draped around his shoulders; although it was not visible in the video, Italians publications reportedly claimed he made a Fascist salute while being arrested. According to The Daily Star, he may have been shouting, “Long Live Italy,” during his arrest.
Who were the victims?
Carancini confirmed that six foreigners, all black, were wounded in the shooting spree. One of the victims endured life-threatening injuries.
According to Time, Carancini gave the following statement, discussing the possible connection between the recent to shooting and Mastropietro’s murder:
“They were all of color, this is obviously a grave fact. As was grave what happened to Pamela. The closeness of the two events makes you imagine there could be a connection.”