Italian Shooter Targeted Blacks, Injuring Six African Migrants Before Being Arrested

GUISEPPE BELLINI/AFP/Getty Images

Italian Man Arrested For Shooting Six Africans In Macerata

Six people were shot in an incident in the town of Macerata, Italy Saturday. Police say the incident was a racially motivated attack. At least one person was seriously injured and in need of surgery according to officers.

According to EyeWitness News reports police arrested the suspected shooter, 28-year-old Luca Traini, who they say wore an Italian flag draped over his shoulders when he was captured by police. Witnesses on the scene say Traini made a fascist salute before being handcuffed.

“He drove around in his car and when he saw any black people he shot them,” Marcello Mancini, a Macerata resident, told Reuters television.

The shootings occurred just days after a Nigerian immigrant was arrested in connection with the death of an 18-year-old Italian woman whose body was dismembered and stuffed into two suitcases found near Macerata.

Traini also fired shots at the offices of the Democratic Party in Macerata, but there were no injuries there. Police say Traini previously ran as a candidate for the rightist Northern League at local elections, but he didn’t receive any votes. The League backs anti-immigrant policies.

League leader Matteo Salvini blamed mass immigration for tensions in the country but distanced himself from the shooting.

“I can’t wait to get into government to restore security, social justice and serenity to Italy,” he told reporters.

PD leader Matteo Renzi called for calm.

“The man who fired the gun, hitting six people of colour, is a squalid, mad person. But the state is stronger than him,” he wrote on Facebook.

Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Italy would come down heavily on anyone promoting violence.

“We will stop this risk. We will stop it immediately. We will stop it together,” he said. “Hatred and violence will not be able to divide us.

It’s so sad to see these issues all across the globe. Prayers up for those affected by this evil. Praying all the victims make full recoveries.