Italy: Right-wing extremist murders Senegalese street vendors, then commits suicide

Two Senegalese street vendors were shot dead and a third seriously injured by an Italian assailant today in the center of Florence. The approximately 50-year-old man then committed suicide. Local media have reported that he was a right-wing extremist. Agence France-Presse reports that the third victim’s injuries are so serious he will be paralyzed for the rest of his life.

The murderer first used his 357 Magnum revolver on the Piazza Dalmazia, where a Christmas market was underway. He shot three men, two of whom died at the scene while the third was seriously injured. He then moved on to the San Lorenzo marketplace in the city’s historical center, where he lightly injured two more people.

Authorities say the man evidently shot himself after seeing he could not escape capture by the intervening police while trying to return to the parking lot where he had left his vehicle. Media reports say the murderer lived alone, suffered from depression, and was a diabetic. He was also the author of several science fiction short stories and a member of the right-wing extremist organization Casa Pound.

The incident has kicked up a storm in the Senegalese community. Around 200 people, most of them of African origin, launched a spontaneous protest march upon hearing of the deaths. Marchers chanted “Racists” and “Shame” and overturned several garbage containers, parked motor scooters and traffic signs near the train station.