foto: ANSA / Public domain/Accident at Verona's Porta Nuova train station
A 26-year-old man from Mali, Moussa Diarra, was fatally shot by a police officer at Verona's Porta Nuova train station on Sunday morning after he attacked the officer with a knife.
According to a joint statement from the local State Attorney's office and the central police department, the officer fired three times, with one bullet hitting Diarra in the chest, killing him on the scene.
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The shooting occurred after Diarra, reportedly agitated, had vandalized a ticket office and a tobacco shop at the station earlier in the morning. Following this, he attempted to attack several parked cars before being intercepted by police officers. When approached, Diarra pulled out a knife and tried to attack the officers, leading to one of them firing their weapon. Despite efforts to save his life, Diarra succumbed to his injuries at the station.
The incident has sparked controversy, with questions surrounding the events that led to Diarra’s aggressive behavior. Stefania Zivelonghi, Verona's security councilor, confirmed that Diarra was a legal migrant with a valid residence permit. "He was a regular immigrant, working and following an integration path. We need to understand what led him to act so aggressively that tragic morning," Zivelonghi said, according to Sky TG24.
According to Il Messagero, Diarra had been living in Verona for several years, working in agriculture, though he was reportedly facing financial difficulties. Activists from Paratodos, an organization supporting migrants, say Diarra had not received EUR 300 in owed wages and had ongoing problems with his documents. He had also recently lost his father, which may have contributed to his growing isolation in the weeks leading up to the incident. Despite these struggles, Diarra was described as a peaceful individual, leaving many in the community shocked by the sudden turn of events. Activists described him as a young man in need of help. They expressed their grief, stating, "To his need, however, the response was gunfire."
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The police officer involved in the shooting has been placed under investigation for potential excessive use of self-defense, though the legal proceedings are ongoing. The case has also fueled broader debates on the treatment of migrants in Italy, with some condemning the harsh rhetoric from political figures, including Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini, who said on his X page, "with all due respect, we won’t miss him," a remark that, rightfully so, has sparked widespread criticism.
Source: Sky TG24; Il Messagero; ANSAit English