A 25-year-old soccer player was fatally stabbed with a screwdriver during an attempted robbery of the pizzas he was carrying. Gabriele Vaccaro, along with two companions, encountered a group of five individuals as they returned to their parked car in Pavia, Italy around 3:30 am on Sunday, April 19. An altercation ensued, leading to Gabriele being stabbed in the neck and abdomen.
Following the attack, the assailants fled the scene while Gabriele’s friends, unaware of the severity of his injuries, took him home. Paramedics were later summoned, and despite critical condition, Gabriele succumbed to his wounds in the hospital.
Subsequently, three of the five suspects, including two young men and a 17-year-old of Egyptian descent believed to be the perpetrator, were apprehended and interrogated. CCTV footage reportedly shows the minor using a screwdriver in the assault.
Authorities indicated that the conflict arose when the group demanded the pizzas from Gabriele. A local media report quoted the group as saying, “You can’t even carry pizzas properly. Give them to us instead.”
Additionally, one of Gabriele’s friends sustained a minor abdominal injury, receiving medical treatment. Originally from Favara, Gabriele, a postal worker and dedicated footballer, had played for various clubs in the Promozione league. Atletico Favara praised him as a kind-hearted individual, a dedicated athlete, and a role model for his courtesy and passion.
Survived by his parents, two brothers, and a twin sister, Gabriele’s tragic death has left a void in the community. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
