An escalation of violence unleashed by desperation. A 47-year-old Neapolitan, who has been living in Florence, was arrested on Saturday evening in the Peretola neighborhood after attacking a 118 nurse and two police officers who intervened to help him after a suicide attempt.
Article Key Points
According to the reconstruction, the man - with a criminal record - lost his job ten days ago, falling into a spiral of depression.
The crisis, the drugs and the phone call to his girlfriend
On Saturday night, after drinking alcohol, taking cocaine and taking sleeping pills, he called his girlfriend and announced that he wanted to kill himself. Then, with a razor blade, he inflicted several cuts on himself.
The woman, in a panic, unable to contact him, alerted 118. The paramedics and a police car arrived on the scene, finding the man on the ground, bleeding and unconscious.
But when rescuers approached, the 47-year-old suddenly got up, unleashing the attack.
Kicks and punches against those who wanted to help him
The man first kicked the nurse, hitting him in the thigh (7 days prognosis), and then attacked the two police officers with punches and kicks. Only after a struggle was he blocked and immobilized, then transported to the emergency room of Careggi.
Arrest and repentance in court
Reported for violence against a public official, resistance and injuries, he was arrested under the new law of November 2024 that increases the penalties for those who attack health workers. The court of Florence validated the arrest, ordered house arrest and set the trial for June 22.
During the hearing, defended by the lawyer Lapo Bechelli, the man apologized to the officers, but now the deed is done. Now he will have to answer to justice, while his life - already marked by the loss of his job and a personal crisis - takes an even more dramatic turn.
Article published on 7 April 2025 - 20:24
It's really sad to see how people can fall into such desperate situations. I hope the man can get the help he needs and that justice takes its course. Life is complicated for many.