Caiafa's mother's appeal: "Too many weapons in Naples, the State must save our children"

Naples.

To speak is Anna Elias, mom of Renato Benedetto Caiaphas, the 19-year-old confessed to the murder of Archangel Correra whom he called “cousin” to emphasize the bond of great friendship that tied them.

The woman spoke to journalists about The morning met in the office of the Neapolitan lawyer Joseph DeGregorio who assists her son explaining: “I hold Antonella close to me with my heart and I feel the need to scream our common pain to the world”.

“My son, Renato, is a good boy, as Arcangelo was. He just turned 19, dreams of a better future and works hard. Unfortunately, life has already taken too much from him: five years ago, he lost his brother and his father. Imagine the weight he carries on his shoulders.

That Saturday morning, Renato told me everything with shining eyes. He repeated several times: “Mom, it was a mistake, I didn’t mean to.” He described the scene of the shooting to me, like a nightmare he can’t forget. He said the gun went off accidentally as it was being passed from hand to hand. Arcangelo tried to downplay what had happened, but then he lost consciousness.

I am sure that gun did not belong only to my son. Anyone who owns a gun has the economic means, and Renato does not.

Today I turn to the institutions. I ask that something be done to save our children. I want to see more controls, more opportunities, fewer weapons in the hands of young people. The State, for me, is synonymous with justice, with protection. But I have often felt abandoned. I still remember when they removed the mural dedicated to my son: a defeat that affected me deeply.

I don’t want to see any more kids getting lost in this spiral of violence. I want a better future for them, a future where they can grow up and realize their dreams.”