In the Italian seaside town of Rimini, a violent attack marred the New Year’s Eve celebrations when an Egyptian man went on a stabbing spree, injuring four people. The police responded swiftly, shooting the assailant on-site.
As festivities were in full swing, with crowds flocking to celebrate, the man began randomly attacking passers-by with a knife. According to Italian news agency Ansa, the initial victim was an 18-year-old working at a cigarette machine. After injuring the young man, the attacker then targeted an older couple and a young woman. Emergency services treated the victims, with three rushed to a hospital in Cesena and one to a hospital in Rimini. Thankfully, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
The police received multiple emergency calls, and officers quickly arrived at the scene. One officer fired a warning shot in an attempt to stop the attacker, but when the man continued charging at him with the knife, the officer was forced to shoot in self-defense. The police confirmed that the fatal shot was necessary to prevent further harm.
The motives behind the attack remain unclear, and investigators are working to piece together the circumstances surrounding the assault. Whether the attack was premeditated or a random act of violence is still under investigation.
