A 25-year-old soccer player was fatally stabbed with a screwdriver during an attempted robbery of the pizzas he was carrying. Gabriele Vaccaro and two companions were heading back to their parked vehicle around 3:30 am on Sunday, April 19, in Pavia, Italy when they encountered a group of five teenagers. An altercation ensued, culminating in one individual allegedly stabbing Gabriele in the neck and abdomen.
Following the attack, the assailants fled the scene, and unaware of the seriousness of Gabriele’s injuries, his friends transported him home. Medical assistance was sought later, and Gabriele was deemed to be in critical condition. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Authorities have apprehended and interrogated three of the five youths involved, including two young men and a 17-year-old, with the latter believed to be the perpetrator of the stabbing. Surveillance footage indicates that the suspect used a screwdriver as the weapon.
According to police reports, the altercation began when the group demanded Gabriele surrender the pizzas he was carrying. A local news source quoted the group as saying, “You can’t even handle pizzas properly. Just give them to us.”
In addition to Gabriele’s tragic death, one of his friends sustained a minor abdominal injury and received medical treatment. Originally from Favara, Gabriele was not only a postal worker but also an ardent football player who had represented various clubs, including Atletico Favara, Casteltermini, and Kamarat in the Promozione league.
Atletico Favara described Gabriele as a kind-hearted individual, a dedicated athlete, and a role model of courtesy and enthusiasm. He is survived by his parents, two brothers, and a twin sister. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.