Italian prosecutors are investigating a prison police officer for attempted murder after he fired three shots at a handcuffed Moroccan detainee trying to flee a hospital emergency department in Prato.
The 22-year-old was struck in the leg during the incident Sunday at Santo Stefano Hospital. He is not in life-threatening condition, Italian media reported.
Prosecutors said surveillance footage showed two officers pursuing the detainee inside an enclosed area from which he could not escape. One officer then fired three times, hitting him once.
The investigation will examine the sequence of shots, the distance involved and whether the use of the weapon was legally justified. Opening an investigation does not establish criminal responsibility.
The Moroccan had been arrested near La Dogaia prison after allegedly trying to throw five packages containing about 600 grams of hashish and two mobile phones over the perimeter wall. He was taken to hospital after being injured during an earlier escape attempt.
The officer’s lawyer said two shots were fired into the air and a third toward the floor after another officer called for help.
The prison police union Sappe said the detainee used a fire extinguisher against the officers, fracturing one officer’s hand and injuring the officer who fired.
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