Italy Shooting Was 'Tragic Criminal Gesture' of Unemployed Man

An Italian policeman is carried away by paramedics after two officers were shot near the prime minister’s office. Photo by Getty Images

The shooting outside the Italian PM's office that wounded two policemen on Sunday was the "tragic criminal gesture" of an unemployed man, according to the country’s Interior Ministry.

The assailant had shown signs of wanting to commit suicide, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano has told reporters.

The gunman, a 49-year-old Italian man dressed in a suit and tie, was arrested at the scene. He has since told police he was acting out of "anger with politicians", according to Sky News.

The man allegedly shouted “Shoot me” at police, before he was tackled to the ground.

The shooting took place in front of the Prime Minister's office -- but the new prime minister, Enrico Letta, was being sworn in at the time at the president's palace a short distance away.

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