A vicious and unprovoked act of violence shook the town of Bassano del Grappa (Vicenza) this morning. At approximately 7:30 AM, while the streets were still largely empty, a high school teacher was attacked from behind and stabbed by a young man. According to an initial reconstruction of events, the assailant’s motive was the teacher’s refusal to give him a cigarette moments earlier. The attack was particularly ferocious; the knife blade penetrated his spinal column, stopping just millimeters from his aorta and spinal cord.
The assailant immediately fled the scene. Several passersby raised the alarm, prompting emergency medical services to rush to the victim’s aid on Viale XI Febbraio, one of the busiest streets in central Bassano del Grappa. The initial account of the events, indicating a disproportionate reaction to the refusal of a cigarette, was reportedly provided by the victim himself.
Carabinieri from the Bassano company and the operational unit of Vicenza are leading the investigation. An officer explained that while no details have been released at this time, investigators have been working intensely since this morning and are pursuing all leads. It is likely witnesses have already been questioned, and authorities are scouring footage from security cameras in the area. They confirm they are searching for a single suspect.
The victim is a 62-year-old teacher from the prestigious ‘Brocchi’ high school. He was not in immediate life-threatening danger following the assault. Admitted to the ‘San Bassiano’ hospital, he was taken into surgery late in the afternoon for a delicate operation. The injury was severe due to its proximity to vital organs like the aorta and the spinal cord. His prognosis remains confidential, though medical staff reported his condition is not currently life-threatening.