Parish priest stabbed; attacker identified and arrested

Carabinieri officers in Caltanissetta, from the video just before the stabbing.

GELA - On the evening of Thursday, October 23, 2025, Carabinieri officers from the Gela Territorial Unit arrested a 26-year-old local man with a criminal record, identified as responsible for the crime of aggravated assault against Father Nunzio Samà, parish priest of the Beata Vergine del Carmelo Church in Gela. Responding immediately following the serious incident, the Carabinieri launched a thorough and ongoing investigation, coordinated by the Gela Public Prosecutor's Office, which quickly allowed them to gather conclusive evidence against the arrested individual. In particular, the initial investigation was guided by images acquired and extracted from various video surveillance systems in the area. These images helped to contextualize the young man's presence inside the church, where the attack, which resulted in the stab wounding the priest in the stomach, allegedly took place in the parish priest's office.

The Carabinieri were able to quickly identify the alleged perpetrator and track him down.

Fortunately, despite his wound, the parish priest managed to escape through a side door and save himself. He was then assisted by paramedics and transported to Gela Hospital, where he was treated and deemed not in danger. Meanwhile, the responding Carabinieri quickly identified the alleged perpetrator and located him at his home. During the house search, a kitchen knife believed to be compatible with the one used in the attack was found hidden in a pouch under a piece of furniture. This knife was seized for further testing. The subsequent investigation, further images viewed, and witness testimony gathered allowed for the development of a consistent set of circumstantial evidence regarding the arrested man's role in the reconstructed crime, which, according to the evidence gathered, occurred within the context of a personality disorder and religious fanaticism. The arrested man was taken to the Gela prison, at the direction of the deputy prosecutor on duty at the Gela Public Prosecutor's Office. The proceedings are currently in the preliminary investigation phase and, as provided by the Constitution, the suspect is presumed innocent until a final conviction. Furthermore, the precautionary measure adopted against him will be submitted to a judge for validation.

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