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Italian Author Opens Fire on African Traders

Right-wing extremist kills 2 in Florence

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 14, 2011 12:00 AM CST

(Newser) – A far-right Italian author opened fire on Senegalese traders at two markets in the heart of Florence yesterday, killing two and seriously injuring three. Witnesses said Gianluca Casseri calmly got out of his car and took aim at the African vendors, the BBC reports. The 50-year-old science fiction author turned the gun on himself after being surrounded by police.

Casseri, whose fantasy novel The Key of Chaos enjoyed moderate commercial success, was a member of a right-wing group called Casa Pound, which swiftly condemned his actions. The mayor of Florence said the shooting spree had shocked the city to its core. "These are the actions of a lone killer—a lucid, mad and racist killer," he said, promising that the city would hold a day of mourning and pay to have the bodies repatriated.

Senegalese immigrants react after an Italian man with extreme right-wing views opened fire in an outdoor market in Florence, Italy. (AP Photo/Lapresse)

Policemen stand by the bodies of two Senegalese vendors who were killed on a market on December 13, 2011 in Florence. (Getty Images)

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