Shooting at Wald Church: 42-year-old stands trial at Hinwil District Court
Following a shooting at the Reformed Church of Wald in October 2024, a 42-year-old must answer for his actions in court. The public prosecutor is seeking six years' imprisonment and seven years' expulsion from the country.
Shots fired at Wald Church: Trial at Hinwil District Court
Three shots, one injured church caretaker, one frightened elderly woman – that is how the Sunday service at the Reformed Church of Wald ended on 13 October 2024. According to zo-online.ch, the 42-year-old gunman must now answer to Hinwil District Court on the coming Tuesday.
According to the charge sheet, the accused – an Italian national with drug problems – sat down next to his then 85-year-old foster mother during the service and spoke to her persistently. A church caretaker subsequently made clear to him that he would not tolerate this behaviour. The man stood up and left the church.
When the foster mother wanted to go home, the accused blocked her way. Once again the church caretaker intervened. At the moment when the caretaker alerted the police using his mobile phone, the accused drew a weapon.
The first shot hit the ground, the second narrowly missed the church caretaker's upper body and struck a car window. The church caretaker then pushed the elderly woman towards the church entrance to bring her to safety. At that moment, the accused fired a third time – and struck the helper from behind in the thigh. The bullet became lodged 16 centimetres deep in the leg and had to be removed under general anaesthetic.
The public prosecutor is seeking a conviction for attempted murder and damage to property. According to the charge sheet, the accused accepted the risk of fatally injuring his foster mother or the church caretaker. The public prosecutor regards an unconditional prison sentence of six years and expulsion from the country for seven years as an appropriate sentence.
The sentence is to be suspended in favour of a custodial measure, however, in order to treat the man's substance abuse disorder. The accused is currently held in Winterthur prison.
Source: Google News CH — Crime (de)