Trick-or-treaters shot in Italy

2005-11-01 15:13

Rome - A retired man in northwestern Italy shot two teenagers trick-or-treating on the night of Halloween after they exploded firecrackers outside his door, police said on Tuesday.

The 70-year-old man was arrested at his home in Chiaverano after seriously wounding the 14-year-olds and detained at Ivrea prison, 50km from Turin, an Ivrea police spokesperson said.

"According to the information to hand, the children knocked at his home last night (on Monday) at about 22:00 and recited the Halloween formula "dolcetto o scherzetto" (trick or treat)", said the spokesperson.

"The person did not respond and the children set off several firecrackers in front of his door. The man then came out with a hunting rifle and fired several times, seriously injuring the children," he added.

"We don't know if he wanted to shoot at them or if he intended to fire in the air to frighten them," said the police spokesperson.

Both teenagers were shot in the lungs and one was hit in the eye, the ANSA news agency reported.

Doctors at the Ivrea hospital where the pair are being treated have not released any information about their condition.

- AFP