Rome, December 11 – A 19-year-old man was shot and injured on Wednesday evening in Via Calpurnio Pisone, in the Tuscolano district of Rome. The victim, who has no criminal record, was reportedly returning home when he was targeted by an assailant who fired at least six shots. Two bullets struck the young man in the legs, while four others hit nearby parked cars. The shooter, along with a presumed accomplice, fled the scene immediately after the incident.
Attempted Murder: Police Investigate Motive
According to initial police investigations, the attack appears to have been an attempt to kill the young man. He was rushed by ambulance to the Policlinico di Tor Vergata, where he is currently hospitalized with a reserved prognosis but is not in life-threatening condition. Investigators from the Tuscolano police station and the Mobile Squad are leading the inquiry.
The primary focus of the investigation is the local criminal underworld, specifically the ongoing conflicts between gangs vying for control of drug trafficking in the eastern part of the capital. Although the victim is not known to law enforcement, one of the leading hypotheses is that the shooting could be a retaliatory attack, or a ‘transversal vendetta,’ targeting someone close to the intended victim. This theory stems from the fact that the mother’s partner has a criminal record related to drug offenses.
Crime Scene Analysis and Witness Accounts
Police forensics experts arrived at the scene shortly after 8:00 PM to collect evidence, including bullet casings and damage to the parked vehicles. Authorities are also reviewing security camera footage from the area, which may have captured the arrival and escape of the two individuals involved in the shooting.
The young man’s social media activity is also being scrutinized. A recent post on his page, stating, “I call you brother because I don’t trust friends,” has been noted by investigators as potentially significant in a neighborhood that has witnessed previous gang-related incidents.
Wider Context of Crime in Rome
This incident adds to concerns about ongoing criminal activity and gang violence in certain areas of Rome. The Tuscolano district, like other parts of the city, has experienced a series of conflicts and retaliatory actions linked to organized crime, particularly drug dealing.
The police are working to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and identify the perpetrators. The investigation is complex, given the potential links to broader criminal networks and the possibility of a targeted attack with indirect motives.
The community in Tuscolano remains on edge as authorities continue their efforts to bring those responsible to justice and address the underlying issues of crime in the area. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses and more details become available.
