Naples, the engineer injured while defending the scooter: "Too many violent minors, but it's not their fault"

"I don't harbor any hatred toward the minor who shot me; on the contrary, I hope he can be saved. I'm a Christian and I believe in understanding others, especially those who haven't had positive experiences in life. Maybe even a fish in the sea can be saved."

Despite the physical and mental pain that still lingers from last March, when he was attacked while filling up at a gas station by two robbers—one of whom, a 17-year-old, was arrested yesterday—Fabio Varrella, a 32-year-old engineer, speaks without rancor.

He represents the figure of those who, in Naples, despite the episodes of violence often involving minors, want to stay and nurture the hope that things can improve, also thanks to the presence of the institutions.

"This is my city and I love it," says Fabio. "After what happened, I felt the support of the police, as well as that of my family and my partner, who allowed me to move forward. The arrest of the minor unfortunately brought to light what happened in March.

I don't think I'll ever forget the fear and pain I felt.

Fabio, an engineer specializing in mechanical maintenance, isn't seeking revenge. "There are too many incidents of violence involving minors, but it's not just their fault; they grow up in a world very different from the one I grew up in and live in, where committing robberies or shootings seems almost normal.

Just think of the murder in Piazza Municipio. Despite everything, I don't believe prison is the solution to rehabilitating juvenile offenders; they still have a life ahead of them and must be rehabilitated."

During these months of suffering, one of the most significant moments for Fabio was the meeting with Archbishop Battaglia, "a person of great humanity and understanding."

This encounter fueled Fabio's desire to become socially engaged; the young 32-year-old engineer is a member of the Lions Marigliano Castello Ducale and will soon begin visiting schools to talk to young people about legality, offering an alternative to the violence and negative values ​​that sometimes seem to characterize the lives of many young people in Naples.

"It's important for kids, especially those growing up in tough neighborhoods, to experience the beauty of peaceful coexistence, discovering that a different society exists, one based on understanding and sharing, not just violence," concludes Fabio Varrella.