An in-depth investigation reveals the full sequence of events.
A brutal assault on a police officer
Vice Inspector Giuseppe Sortino, serving in the Crotone Police Headquarters, was the victim of a violent attack on October 7. The assault occurred after the officer stopped a car driving recklessly on the S.S. 106, which had already caused two minor collisions.
After asking the vehicle’s occupants – identified as Francesco Chimirri (later deceased) and his son – for explanations and their documents, the officer was brutally attacked. During the assault, the aggressors seized the Vice Inspector’s baton and used it against him.
The investigation and crucial evidence
The investigation, led by the Carabinieri’s Investigative Unit and supported by the Calabria Helicopter Hunters Squadron, was overseen by the Crotone Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities collected footage from surveillance cameras and social media platforms like TikTok, along with key witness statements.
Through phone interceptions, investigators confirmed that the officer had identified himself as a law enforcement member from the outset. Nevertheless, the attackers continued their violent actions, inflicting severe injuries that nearly proved fatal.
Arrests and charges
Four members of the Chimirri family were arrested this morning under a warrant issued by the Crotone Court’s Investigating Judge. They face charges including attempted aggravated murder, aggravated personal injuries, resisting and assaulting a public official, illegal carrying of weapons, and aggravated damage.
The arrested individuals have been taken to the Crotone prison and are now at the Judicial Authority’s disposal.
A meticulous reconstruction
The complexity of the investigation required a detailed reconstruction of events. Video evidence, photographic comparisons, and phone interceptions allowed investigators to establish a precise timeline. A technical consultant, appointed by the Prosecutor’s Office, recovered critical data from the Vice Inspector’s phone, severely damaged during the attack.
