Bankruptcy fraud defendant kills 3 people in Milan courthouse shooting
A defendant in a bankruptcy case in Milan shot and killed three people at the courthouse on Thursday.
The gunman killed his lawyer, a judge and a co-defendant, report the Associated Press, Reuters and the BBC. A fourth person suffered an apparent heart attack and died. Another co-defendant was seriously injured in the shooting, AP says.
The alleged gunman, Claudio Giardiello, was arrested about 15 miles from the courthouse after fleeing on a motorbike. Giardiello’s prior lawyer, Valerio Maraniello, told AFP News Agency that Giardiello was “aggressive” and “a little paranoid,” according to the BBC account.
It’s unclear how the gunman was able to avoid detection by metal detectors at the courthouse. Some employees said he may have been allowed to enter without screening by walking in the courthouse with his lawyer.
The lawyer who died was identified as Lorenzo Alberto Claris Appiani, and the judge who died was identified as appeals court judge Fernando Ciampi. The judge was shot after the gunman left the courtroom and walked down a floor; it’s unclear if the gunman knew him.
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