Rome – Following the school attack in Rome, investigators are examining whether a 13-year-old student was influenced or directed by contacts in extremist online groups prior to the incident. The incident occurred on Friday morning, September 18, at the Giovanni Verga Middle School in the Centocelle neighborhood. The injured teacher was discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment; she remains shaken by the incident.
The Carabinieri seized the teenager's cell phone and other digital devices for forensic analysis. The investigation is focusing on chat histories, social media accounts, and the question of who was in contact with him shortly before and during the crime. A message in which the student announced that he would draw attention to subsequent media coverage is considered a key point of inquiry. There is no confirmed motive as of yet.
What Investigators Are Looking Into Regarding the School Attack in Rome
The possible connection to white supremacist or other extremist online circles is currently a line of inquiry. Authorities are specifically looking for individuals who are believed to have watched a livestream of the attack and are investigating whether they merely watched or actively participated. They are also reconstructing the online purchases of the items used in the attack. The only thing that is certain so far is that the student planned the attack and intended to film it.
The Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office in Rome has received the investigation file. Because the student is not yet 14 years old, he is not criminally liable under Italian law. Therefore, in parallel with the proceedings for assault, an assessment is being conducted to determine what educational and social-pedagogical measures are necessary. The teenager remains under medical care. A classmate who intervened and stopped the attack prevented further injuries. The school and the authorities are now focusing on clarifying the facts of the incident and providing support to the affected school community.
