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Police in Italy say a man who was on trial for fraudulent bankruptcy shot-and-killed a judge along with his lawyer and one of his co-defendants on the morning of April 9. The suspect has been named by the Italian government as Claudio Giardiello, 57. The gunfire broke out at the Palace of Justice at around 11 a.m. local time.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He Was Allowed to Escape the Courthouse
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Giardiello was arrested shortly after the attack in the town of Vimercate in the 16 miles north of Milan, according to Italy’s Minister for the Interior Angelino Alfano. Italy’s news agency, ANSA, reports that he was trying to escape on a motorcycle. The Guardian reports that Giardiello had remained in the building for up to an hour after the shooting but still managed to escape even as police swarmed the courthouse.
2. 3 People Were Shot Dead
Three people were shot dead during the attack inside of the Palace of Justice in Milan. Another person was found deceased in the building, that person hadn’t been wounded but suffered a heart attack during the incident reports Reuters. The judge was found shot dead in his office. A witness to the shooting, Marcello Ilia, told the AFP, “All of a sudden we heard at least three or four shots. We tried to find out what was going on. There were suddenly lots of police officers who told us not to leave the room, they shut us in. After a few minutes we came out. They told us someone in a suit and tie was armed and at large in the court.”
3. He Allegedly Shot His Lawyer & Co-Defendants
Milan’s mayor Giuliano Pisapia (L) arrives at the scene. (Getty)
The other people killed in the attack were Giardiello’s co-defendant and his lawyer. Channel 4 News in the UK named the judge as Fernando Ciampi, the lawyer as Lorenzo Alberto Claris Appiani and Giardiello’s co-defendant as Giorgio Erba. One of Giardiello’s business partners, Davide Limongelli, was also wounded in the shooting. Appiani was shot in the heart, reports La Repubblica. Giardiello is related to Erba and Limongelli.
4. The Shooting Happened Close to Milan’s Famed Cathedral
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Police in Milan had been seriously increased security around public buildings since the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris in January. This shooting took place inside of Milan’s city center, just a few blocks from Milan’s famed Duomo cathedral and swanky shopping district.
5. He Was a Real Estate Agent
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ANSA reports that Giardiello is a real estate agent. La Repubblica reports that his trial was related to the failure of his business Magenta Real Estate.
