A man of Togolese origin, aged 28, was arrested this Saturday morning at the Italian-Swiss border, accused of the brutal murder of Mamadi Tunkara, a 36-year-old security guard, who occurred the day before in a supermarket in Bergamo, in the northern Italy.
The tragic incident, which took place while Tunkara was on his way to work, was particularly violent. According to information reported by the Ansa agency, the attacker hit the victim several times with a knife, after throwing him from his bike. Tunkara, of Gambian origin, succumbed to his injuries on the spot.
The authorities, who immediately opened an investigation, indicated that the attacker, a homeless man, was trying to flee to Switzerland at the time of his arrest. The crime was filmed by surveillance cameras and several witnesses witnessed the scene.
The circumstances of the crime remain unclear. Although the attacker appears to know the victim, the exact reasons for the attack remain unclear. Speculation about a prior conflict between the two men is circulating.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi praised the efficiency of the police forces, who quickly located and arrested the suspect. “Identification and research within hours of the crime confirms that our police forces have a great capacity not only to prevent crimes, but also to quickly bring their perpetrators to justice. Our applause and thanks go to those who worked in this circumstance and to the judicial authorities,” he said.
Local authorities have convened an extraordinary meeting of the committee for public order and security of the province of Bergamo, to take a closer look at the circumstances of the murder and to strengthen security in the region.
