Eight people were injured Saturday in Modena, Italy, after a driver struck multiple pedestrians with a vehicle before exiting the car and stabbing at least one person.
The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, is a 31-year-old Italian-born man of African origin. Authorities said the incident occurred around 4:30 pm on Via Emilia, where the driver struck multiple pedestrians. He then crashed his vehicle into a storefront window, injuring a woman who has since been hospitalized and may require the amputation of her legs, according to authorities.
After the crash, the suspect exited the vehicle and allegedly attempted to stab at least one man before being chased down by bystanders.
The stab victim, identified as Luca Signorelli by the Italian press, told reporters the suspect "disappeared behind a row of cars and then suddenly reappeared with a knife in his hand."
“He was babbling something, but it wasn’t Italian. Two slashing blows came at me—one aimed at the heart, the other at the head. A scuffle broke out,” Signorelli explained. “I managed to dodge one of the strikes, but the other one hit me. Then I pinned his wrist. And then I neutralized him.”
Italian newspaper La Pressa reported that a motive has not yet been determined, and authorities have not ruled out terrorism as a possible factor in the attack.
Modena Mayor Massimo Mezzetti, who arrived at the scene after the incident, said, “It is a dramatic event. I am deeply shaken."
“Whatever the nature of the incident, it is a very grave matter. If it turns out to be a deliberate attack, it would be even more serious," Mezzetti added.
