72-Year-Old Man Wounded in Acerra Ambush, Police Investigate Past Extortion Charges
Naples, February 10th – A 72-year-old man, Giovanni Tufano, was wounded in the thigh by a gunshot in Acerra, a town north of Naples. The incident occurred around 4:00 AM on February 10th, and Tufano was subsequently transported to the emergency room of the Villa dei Fiori clinic in Acerra. Medical staff at the clinic promptly alerted law enforcement to the presence of a man with a gunshot wound.
Investigation Underway in Acerra
Police are currently concentrating their investigations in the area north of Naples where the shooting took place. The victim, Giovanni Tufano, is a resident of Acerra and is known to law enforcement authorities. His condition is not reported to be serious, as the bullet struck his thigh. However, the exact context of the ambush remains unclear, and police are maintaining a high level of discretion regarding the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of an ambush or a settling of scores as potential motives.
Tufano’s Past Involvement in Extortion Investigation
Tufano’s criminal record includes a previous investigation in 2017, when he, then 64 years old, was involved in an attempted extortion case alongside his sons. The accusations at that time concerned two local merchants and an entrepreneur in the Acerra area who had refused to comply with demands for money.
In one of the alleged incidents from July 2017, one of Tufano’s sons reportedly visited an entrepreneur’s home, demanding a sum of money, claiming it was needed to purchase medicine for his father. Following the victim’s refusal, the young man allegedly persisted, hinting at the involvement of his brother. This non-committal response was reportedly insufficient to deter the pressure, as shortly thereafter, according to the prosecution, the same young man returned to the scene and fired several gunshots at the gate of the residence and an electrical cabin.
An even more explicit threat was allegedly made to a second victim, the owner of a car dealership. On that occasion, still according to investigators, all three family members presented themselves. To reinforce their intimidation, a revolver was reportedly displayed. “Perhaps you haven’t understood who we are,” the trio allegedly stated, “we will come to your dealership and choose a car according to our needs, and you must register it in our name without saying anything.”
Previous Family Incidents and Ongoing Inquiry
This is not the first time the Tufano family has drawn the attention of authorities. In September 2016, Tufano and his sons were arrested together following a violent family dispute that escalated into an unprecedented episode. According to investigators, the head of the family allegedly assaulted one of his sons with a stick. The son decided to report the incident to the Carabinieri but was forcibly obstructed: one brother attempted to dissuade him, while another drove a car into the gate of the Acerra Carabinieri barracks to prevent him from filing a complaint. The intervention of the Carabinieri, prompted by a 112 call, led to the father’s arrest for mistreatment.
It now remains to be seen whether the recent shooting is a result of a criminal context or if it has other underlying causes. The police investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
