Milan Rogoredo: Officer Under Investigation for Manslaughter After Fatal Shooting
Milan, January 28 – An assistant police chief is under investigation for voluntary manslaughter following the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Abderrahim Mansouri, known as “Zack,” in Milan’s Rogoredo park yesterday afternoon. The officer, with two decades of service, claims he fired in self-defense after Mansouri, a known drug dealer, allegedly drew a weapon.
The Incident Unfolds in Rogoredo Park
The incident occurred around 5:30 PM yesterday, during a special operation to combat drug dealing in the Rogoredo area. The assistant chief, an expert in the park and assigned to the Mecenate police station’s investigative unit, was with a colleague providing backup to other officers who had just apprehended a Bangladeshi pusher. “I recognized him because he was a well-known person at the station. We called him by the pseudonym Zack,” the officer stated during his interrogation.
As the officers ventured into the dimly lit woods, the assistant chief spotted two figures approaching. He instructed his colleague, who was about five meters behind him, to stay alert. “When we got about 20 meters away, the person stopped. We identified ourselves, saying ‘Stop, police,’ and he pulled a weapon from his right pocket, pointing it at us,” the officer recounted to prosecutor Giovanni Tarzia.
Officer’s Account: Fear and a Single Shot
The officer described a rapid sequence of events: “In the meantime, I had opened my jacket and taken a step to start chasing him. I drew my pistol from my abdominal holster and fired a shot.” He emphasized his fear during the encounter: “I was very scared. In many years of police service, I have seen and done things, but until it happens, you don’t think about it.” The single shot struck Mansouri in the upper temple, fired from a distance of 31 meters.
Mansouri, who had a criminal record for robbery, drug offenses, and resisting arrest, fell to the ground. The officer stated, “He was face up, and the weapon was nearby. I, as we are taught to do, removed the weapon from the subject’s availability. I think I did it with my hand.” He also mentioned asking his colleague to take photos before the arrival of emergency services, and possibly before moving the weapon.
The Weapon: A Blank-Firing Pistol Without a Red Cap
The weapon Mansouri allegedly drew was later identified as a blank-firing pistol, a replica of a Beretta 92, and crucially, it was missing its distinctive red cap, making it appear indistinguishable from a real firearm. This detail is central to the ongoing investigation, as prosecutors aim to determine if there was a “current and imminent threat.”
Support for the officer has been vocal among colleagues and police unions. Messages circulating in chat groups express solidarity for the “hero colleague who deserves support and affection in this delicate moment.” Colleagues argue, “He couldn’t have known. The weapon is identical to real ones. Should he have let himself be killed?”
Investigation Continues: Autopsy and Ballistic Reports Pending
The interrogation of the officer concluded at the police headquarters less than five hours after the fatal shooting. His lawyer, Pietro Porciani, was present. The investigation awaits the results of an autopsy and ballistic reports to shed further light on the circumstances of Mansouri’s death.
This incident has reignited discussions about the dangers faced by law enforcement in areas like Rogoredo, known for its pervasive drug activity. Residents of the neighborhood have frequently expressed their frustration with the ongoing issues, with one resident stating, “We can’t take it anymore, every day hordes of ghosts. But it’s in the dark that the fear begins.”
The police officer remains under investigation as authorities meticulously examine all aspects of the encounter to ensure a thorough and just outcome.
Source: milano.corriere.it
