Man shot dead on scooter in Naples; police probe personal and organized crime motives
Alessandro Grivano, a 33-year-old with a record of scams, was shot dead on his scooter in central Naples early Saturday. Police are investigating whether the motive was a personal vendetta or tied to organized crime.
The shooting
At around 1 a.m. on Saturday, Alessandro Grivano was travelling on his scooter through Piazza Sant'Anna a Capuana, a square near Porta Capuana and the central train station, when a close-range shot struck him in the chest. A passing motorist called for help, and police responded to reports of gunfire. Grivano was loaded into an ambulance and taken to the Vecchio Pellegrini hospital's emergency room, but died en route.
Victim's background
Grivano, who would have turned 33 in August, had a criminal record for defrauding the elderly. Earlier probes linked that racket to the Contini camorra clan, though Grivano was never formally affiliated. Investigators are now combing through his personal life, exploring the possibility that a rival in a romantic dispute may have been responsible. As one report noted, he was known to police for minor offences but not tied to local cartels.
Investigation angles
Naples' flying squad has obtained footage from the area's surveillance cameras, which is being examined for clues to the killer's identity. Officers have also interviewed the victim's family and friends to map his recent social circle. No arrests have been made, and the public prosecutor's office is expected to provide early findings in the coming hours. While the ambush's execution has the hallmarks of organised crime, the personal-vendetta theory remains under active consideration.
Safety concerns and context
The shooting comes amid heightened anxiety over violent crime in central Naples. On Friday evening, residents gathered in Piazzetta Montesanto for a flash mob, holding placards that read "Più Stato, meno paura" and calling for tighter security. That demonstration was triggered by a recent brawl and shooting that saw a man openly carrying a Kalashnikov through the streets. The prefect's Comitato per la sicurezza will convene on Wednesday, chaired by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, to address the city's public-order challenges.
Timeline
- Flash mob 'Più Stato, meno paura' in Piazzetta Montesanto after recent shooting.
- Alessandro Grivano shot on his scooter in Piazza Sant'Anna a Capuana.
- Grivano dies during transport to Vecchio Pellegrini hospital.
- Police investigate, acquire CCTV footage, interview acquaintances.
- Comitato per la sicurezza meeting chaired by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.
