Salerno, attempted murder after a fight in a nightclub: two brothers close to the group "i ragazzi di Pastena" in prison

Pontecagnano – An ambush with gunshots, a daring escape and a story of threats and violence linked to an extortion attempt in a nightclub. These are the elements at the center of the investigation that led to the arrest of brothers Massimiliano and Fabio Damiani, held responsible for attempted aggravated murder, illegal possession of weapons and private violence, with the aggravating circumstance of the mafia method.

The incident dates back to September 18, 2022, when the two, disguised by balaclavas and sunglasses, allegedly ambushed a 49-year-old Salerno along the road that connects Pontecagnano to the city. According to the prosecution, after having identified him, they tried to block him, attempting to break the windows of his car with gunshots.

The man, however, managed to escape, triggering a high-speed chase during which the Damiani brothers fired several shots, hitting the rear window and the seats of the car. Only by pure luck, the 49-year-old emerged unharmed.

The fight in the nightclub and the extortion attempt

The episode would be the consequence of a previous clash that occurred on September 3, 2022 in a well-known nightclub in Pontecagnano, where the victim worked as a cashier. According to the reconstruction of the prosecutor, Massimiliano Damiani allegedly demanded a discount on drinks for himself and his friends, threatening the man when he refused.

After verbally attacking him and inviting him to leave the place, Damiani allegedly walked away promising revenge. A threat that, two weeks later, would materialize with the ambush together with his brother Fabio.

The evidence: cameras, GPS and ballistic analysis

The investigations, conducted by the Investigative Unit of the Carabinieri of Salerno, were based on:

Surveillance video in Salerno and Pontecagnano;

GPS track of a rental car used by the suspects (taken under a false name);

Ballistic analysis, which confirmed the use of two different pistols during the ambush.

By cross-referencing the data with telephone records, investigators confirmed the presence of the Damiani brothers at the location of the ambush and in the days leading up to it.

The bond with the Pastena boys

The precautionary custody order – issued by the GIP at the request of the Salerno Prosecutor’s Office – also reconstructs the criminal context in which the two brothers operated, linked to the group “I Ragazzi di Pastena”, already involved in a serious episode of violence in 2006 at the “Soho Federica” nightclub in Salerno.

On that occasion, some members of the group had attacked police officers, attempting to steal their weapons and injuring several of them. A past that today comes back to haunt the Damianis, now in prison awaiting trial.