A young footballer has died after being shot by mistake in a revenge attack ordered by a father seeking to punish his daughter’s boyfriend over a leaked sex tape.
Umberto Catanzaro passed away in the ICU yesterday (17 Nov) morning.
The 23-year-old had been shot in the abdomen during the ambush on 15 September.
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Investigators say the attack was orchestrated by a local crime boss to punish his daughter’s 17-year-old boyfriend, also linked to the same gang, for allegedly sharing intimate footage of her.
The 46-year-old boss arrived on a stolen scooter with his armed 16-year-old son and a third suspect in the Spanish Quarter of Naples, Italy.
When the 16-year-old fired twice, he missed the intended target and struck Umberto, who had been riding in the same Smart Fortwo as the 17-year-old.
Despite his injuries, the amateur footballer dragged himself to his father-in-law’s house, who took him to hospital.
The 17-year-old, armed at the time, did not immediately return fire.
An hour later, he tracked down two late-arriving accomplices – both minors – who had missed the attack, and shot one of them in the legs in front of his girlfriend.
Umberto was remembered as a talented winger with an eye for goal and a deadly left foot, as reported by Need To Know.
Luigi Testa, technical director of Rione Terra Calcio, said: “I remember him as a decent, polite, and respectful young man.
“He spent several months with us last year, then left in January due to a series of long-standing physical problems that affected his career.
“We had brought him into the first team on the recommendation of coach Umberto Stellato.
“Even though he only spent a few months with us, he left a very positive impression.”
He had also played for Monteruscello Calcio in Pozzuoli, who paid tribute on social media.
Umberto had no involvement in the clan’s dispute, according to local media.
However, two days after the shooting, police seized a pistol from his 17-year-old friend – one Umberto had previously been photographed with.
Police made four arrests connected to the attack on 19 October, with the fifth and final arrest reported on 5 November.
The investigation is ongoing.
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