Gabriele Vaccaro (25 years old) was allegedly stabbed with a screwdriver following a dispute over pizzas. The young footballer was killed in a parking lot in Pavia, Italy, after a confrontation that escalated into violence.
Vaccaro, a native of Agrigento in Sicily, was honored at the field of CastrumFavara, the club he played for. “Your smile will live forever,” read a banner displayed during a match against Gela.
Details of the murder indicate that Vaccaro and his friends were returning to their car around 3:30 a.m. in Pavia when they encountered five young men. According to police reports, the group mocked them and demanded the pizzas they were carrying. The taunts and threats led to a scuffle, during which Vaccaro was struck in the abdomen with a screwdriver or a sharp tool.
A 17-year-old Egyptian student has been arrested for the crime. During questioning, he invoked his right to remain silent and was transferred to the Beccaria juvenile detention center.
Vaccaro’s four companions are being investigated for failing to assist the injured footballer. They reportedly witnessed the attack but did not participate or call for emergency help.