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A faulty gun likely saved Archbishop of Florence, Giuseppe Betori from being shot on Monday, in an attack which injured his secretary, reports Associated Press.
The archbishop and Fr Paolo Brogi were returning to Florence in the Archbishop’s car when the aggressor reportedly asked to speak with Betori, but the secretary who was also the driver rebuffed him.
In response, the assailant pulled out a 7.65 calibre pistol and fired on the priest, injuring him in the abdomen, before threatening the archbishop with the weapon.
He said something starting with the words “you shouldn’t say,” but Betori could not make out the end of the sentence, police said.
The gunman tried to fire on Betori but either his gun jammed or he thought better of it, investigators say.
Brogi was injured in the stomach and underwent emergency surgery overnight to repair his small intestine and is out of danger.
Police have started a manhunt for the assailant, thought to be a 70 year old homeless and mentally unstable man. Witnesses say he was unshaven and wearing a wool cap.
Police have stepped up protection for Betori, who said he was “full of pity” for his aggressor.
Sources
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