Sant'Anastasia – Old grudges that never settled, a quarrel escalated, and finally, lead. The confrontation between Damiano Romano, 50, and Luigi Gifuni, 59, a construction contractor already known to law enforcement, ended in a bloodbath.
The first is hospitalized in serious condition at Villa Betania, the second was arrested a few hours after the ambush. The attack took place yesterday morning, in broad daylight, along Via Pomigliano, a busy artery of the industrial area.
According to investigators' reconstruction, Gifuni confronted Romano after yet another argument: first he slapped him, then he shot him in the abdomen. The man collapsed to the ground in a pool of blood, a few meters from the Romano Auto dealership, which had no connection to the incident.
The hunt and the arrest
Once the alarm was raised, the Carabinieri of Castello di Cisterna immediately acquired footage from cameras installed along the road. A video clearly shows the attacker striking the victim and opening fire. A few hours later, Gifuni was located and arrested: he is now detained in Poggioreale, awaiting a validation hearing.
Romano, rushed to the emergency room, underwent delicate surgery. His condition remains critical, and his prognosis is guarded.
The motive
The raid appears to be more than just old disputes. Investigators from the Naples DDA, which is coordinating the investigation, are maintaining the utmost secrecy regarding possible links to recent disputes involving Romano—now the owner of a pizzeria and restaurant supply business—and several young offenders from Somma Vesuviana.
The victim's past
Damiano Romano's name is no stranger to legal headlines. In 2016, he was arrested by police for extortion related to the expansion of the Sant'Anastasia cemetery. He had previously been in trouble for weapons possession and attempted murder stemming from jealousy.
Now i police they dig into his past to fully understand the motive for yet another ambush.
It's truly disturbing to see how certain situations can escalate into such rapid and brutal violence. I hope justice is served and those responsible pay for their actions, even if it doesn't bring the victim back.