Two Indian men were shot dead in northern Italy late Friday night, just minutes after they emerged from a warehouse being used as a place of worship during a Vaisakhi rally, according to local media reports.
The accident occurred in the town of Covo, Bergamo province, shortly before midnight.
The victims were attending a religious gathering at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji, located in an industrial area, when they were targeted in the square outside the building. No Sicily newspaper reported.
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The two dead were identified as Rajinder Singh, 48, a resident of Kofu, and Gurmeet Singh, 48, who lived in nearby Agnadilo. For Gurmeet Singh, the loss is especially devastating because he left behind his wife and two children.
The attacker opened fire and fled the scene
According to initial reports, the attacker approached the two men, opened fire, and then fled in a car.
The size of the shooting indicates its intensity, as investigators found about ten shell casings from the scene. According to La Sicilia, the shooting was exceptionally intense, far exceeding what would have been “necessary” to injure the two victims.
Authorities are investigating the case and are currently working on the assumption that the killings may have been a “coldly planned execution.”
There is no evidence of a sudden quarrel
Preliminary findings indicate that the incident was not the result of a spontaneous altercation. Investigators ruled out the possibility of the sudden quarrel escalating into violence, indicating that the attack may have been intentional.
One witness told the local newspaper that the shooter was an “Indian” who also frequented the gurdwara. The same witness added that a third person was shot during the shooting.
The local Sikh community was “integrated” and peaceful, noting that they had lived in the area for about fifteen years without any public order problems. No Sicily Covo Mayor Andrea Cappelletti was quoted as saying.
The report added that the bodies have been sent to Pavia for post-mortem examinations as investigators continue to maintain complete secrecy about the case. The investigation continues as officials review surveillance footage, record witness statements and examine ballistic evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.
