Shooting in Rome's Prati district: man turns himself in, at least four victims
A man has turned himself in to carabinieri at San Pietro after wounding journalist Cristina Stillitano with an air rifle. At least three other similar incidents have emerged in the same street, always with women as targets.
Prati district, Rome: suspect in air rifle shooting turns himself in
Il Fatto Quotidiano's crime section reports that the man believed responsible for shots fired in Rome's Prati district has voluntarily presented himself at the San Pietro carabinieri barracks, accompanied by his lawyer. Investigators had already identified him through records at a gunsmith's shop, where he reportedly purchased an air rifle in early September.
The most seriously wounded victim is journalist and author Cristina Stillitano, hit by a metal pellet in the arm. She underwent surgery in the morning; the projectile extracted was found to be made of metal, consistent with a weapon capable of firing from a distance. Her condition is improving.
Ballistic reconstruction
The ballistic section of the Ris (a division of the carabinieri) returned to the wound scene to carry out a 3D reconstruction of the crime scene, with the aim of establishing the bullet's trajectory. Investigators believe the shots likely came from a building situated on the opposite side of the pavement where the victims were located. The theory of a close-range shot, such as from the street or a moving car, has been ruled out. The carabinieri have searched the building on the other side of the street, identifying it as the likely point of origin of the shots.
At least four incidents along Via della Giuliana
As the investigation has progressed, a broader picture has emerged. The cases under police attention number at least four, all occurring in the same stretch of Via della Giuliana, a stone's throw from the Vatican, and always targeting women.
The morning after Stillitano was wounded, the carabinieri received a complaint from Angela Perrone, an accountant who works on Via della Giuliana. The woman said she had felt "a movement of air at the level of the fence" and then felt pain in her calf, adding: "I was struck in passing". As she had not sustained serious injuries — only a bruise on her leg — she had initially attributed the incident to some youngster. The news of Stillitano's wounding subsequently convinced her to file a report.
The owners of a restaurant on the same street reported another incident: two Spanish tourists reportedly shouted after hearing a shot, fleeing in fear. A fourth case involves a man who stated he heard air rifle shots muffled among the leaves of a nearby tree.
Investigation file opened by Rome's Public Prosecutor
Rome's Public Prosecutor has opened an investigation file for assault in relation to Stillitano's wounding. The man, who initially could not be located, subsequently chose to come forward by voluntarily presenting himself to the authorities.
Source: Il Fatto Quotidiano - Cronaca