Shortly after a car plowed into a crowd of pedestrians in Modena, Italy on Saturday, 4 Italian civilians stepped in and tackled the automobile’s driver, pulling him to the bottom, in keeping with the town’s mayor.
“The madman, I don’t know what to call him, the criminal who committed this act, he got out of the car brandishing a knife,” Mayor Massimo Mezzetti advised state-owned information company RAI. “Four citizens, whom I thank, captured him and handed him over to law enforcement.”
Mezzetti mentioned that eight individuals have been wounded when the car rammed into a crowd on Via Emilia, a busy road in the middle of the northern Italian metropolis of Modena. Four of the pedestrians suffered severe accidents, he added, together with one lady whose legs needed to be amputated after being struck by the car head-on.
“I want to thank these citizens,” Mezzetti mentioned of the 4 who apprehended the suspected driver. “The man was also armed with a knife; they showed courage and great civic sense. My deepest thanks go to them in this dramatic moment.”
When praising the 4, Mezzetti additionally mentioned that when “they threw him to the ground, one was slightly injured” by the knife.
Mezzetti added that the person is being questioned on the native police station, and mentioned that authorities would offer an replace later. It was not instantly clear whether or not the person was underneath the affect of drugs or acted intentionally.
The Italian Police advised NCS that the person is a 31-year-old unemployed resident of Modena with a level in economics, at present dwelling along with his dad and mom. As of Saturday night, he’s nonetheless being questioned.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the incident as “extremely serious” in a message on social media.
“I express my closeness to the injured people and their families,” Meloni wrote. “I also extend thanks to the citizens who courageously intervened to stop the perpetrator and to the law enforcement agencies for their response.”
“I have spoken with the Mayor and remain in constant contact with the authorities to follow the developments of the situation,” she continued. “I trust that the perpetrator will be held fully accountable for his actions.”
This is a growing story and shall be up to date.