Sarno, Gaetano Russo killed while defending his daughter

Sarno - The argument and the sudden attack. The violence that shocked Sarno erupted in the middle of the night. According to investigators' initial reconstruction, it all began with an argument between the killer Andrea Sirica and the owner's daughter.

The tone became increasingly heated, until the father, Gaetano Russo, 61, a well-known baker and delicatessen owner in the city, intervened.

The man's instinctive action was intended to protect his daughter. But within moments, the situation escalated. The customer, a 35-year-old man under the influence of drugs, suddenly leaped over the counter, grabbed a knife, and lunged at the owner.

At least ten stab wounds, blows to the abdomen

The attack was ferocious and swift. At least a dozen blows were delivered, many of them to the abdomen. The force was so strong that it caused copious blood loss.

By the time emergency services arrived, drawn by his daughter's screams, there was nothing more they could do for Gaetano Russo. The 57-year-old died shortly thereafter, leaving his family, customers, and local residents in shock.

The sudden impulse trail: no premeditation

As the hours passed, investigators are strengthening the hypothesis that it wasn't a premeditated murder, but a sudden outburst. The attacker was clearly in a state of distress and knew the shop well: he was a regular customer of the delicatessen and bakery.

A madness that exploded without any apparent structured motive, but culminated in a dramatic epilogue.

The arrest and the state of confusion

The arrested man, Andrea Sirica, is 35 years old and has a prior drug conviction. He is charged with murder and is in custody. At the time of his arrest, according to police, he appeared confused.

Among the first to respond immediately after the attack was an off-duty Carabinieri officer who lives a few meters from the shop. The officer serves in Rome and was in the city at the time of the incident.

The precedent in church a few hours before

A disturbing detail emerges from the account of Don Antonio, parish priest of the church of San Teodoro Martire. A few hours before the murder, Sirica had entered the church just before the 6:30 pm service, singing and disturbing the faithful at prayer.

This unusual behavior had prompted the parish priest to remove him. Today, in light of what happened, this episode plays a significant role in reconstructing the attacker's psychophysical state.

City in shock, events cancelled

Sarno awoke in shock at the tragedy that struck a family and the entire community. The Municipality, through its social media channels, announced the cancellation of all scheduled events.

"Due to the painful tragedy that has shocked the city of Sarno," the statement reads, "all scheduled events are canceled until further notice."
A decision that reflects the climate of mourning and dismay over a murder that unfolded in a few dramatic moments.

 (Natasha Macrì collaborated)