35-year-old shot dead in Sardinia, 61-year-old suspect held after dispute over drugs in Santadi
Daniele Cacciarru, a 35-year-old unemployed man, was killed by a shotgun blast to the chest and face in Santadi early Friday. A 61-year-old man is being questioned by Carabinieri after allegedly calling police to report the shooting himself.
The shooting in Barrancu Mannu
Gunfire shattered the early morning calm in the Sardinian countryside on Friday when Daniele Cacciarru, 35, was shot dead in the chest and face in the rural locality of Barrancu Mannu, on the outskirts of Santadi, a town of just over 2,000 inhabitants about 60 kilometres from Cagliari. The alarm was raised around 7:30 a.m., though some reports indicate the incident occurred during the night. Emergency services arrived to find the victim already dead. The 35-year-old, unemployed and originally from Carbonia, had been living in Portoscuso.
The suspect allegedly told investigators he had defended himself from an assault, that he had been threatened by the victim.
A drug-related altercation
Investigators believe the killing was the culmination of a dispute linked to drug consumption and trafficking. The victim arrived at the 61-year-old's property accompanied by two other people, intending to settle a score. A violent argument broke out, which quickly escalated into the fatal shooting. Prosecutors, led by Daniele Caria, are treating the case as a homicide arising from a narcotics-related quarrel.
- Victim arrives at suspect's property with two companions, argument breaks out
- Shots fired; neighbours call 112, suspect calls Carabinieri to confess
- 118 paramedics arrive and pronounce the 35-year-old dead at the scene
- Carabinieri and RIS forensic team secure area; suspect questioned in barracks
The suspect's account
The 61-year-old suspect himself called the Carabinieri to report he had shot the younger man. He presented a version of self-defence, claiming the victim had threatened him. Critically, the weapon, a hunting rifle, was not handed over to police when he was taken into custody. Neighbours also dialled 112 after hearing the gunfire, corroborating the timeline of the shooting. The man remains at the barracks where his statement is being verified.
Forensic investigation underway
Specialists from the Carabinieri's RIS unit in Cagliari have been deployed to the scene to carry out forensic examinations. The area was cordoned off to allow for a detailed reconstruction of the crime. The Carabinieri of Carbonia and the Provincial Command are coordinating witness interviews. The public prosecutor is expected to decide on formal detention measures in the coming hours.
There was an argument behind the homicide at dawn, the particular detail on which the military are working.
Awaiting charges
Formal charges have not yet been filed. The prosecutor's office in Cagliari is awaiting the results of the forensic report and the conclusion of the interrogation of the suspect before issuing any warrant. The investigation is ongoing to determine precisely whether the shooting constitutes murder or whether elements of legitimate defence exist, as claimed by the detained 61-year-old.
