A homeless Nigerian migrant, aged 37 and identified as Nweke Chukwuka, has been apprehended on suspicion of fatally assaulting a 61-year-old woman named Iris Setti in Italy.
The incident unfolded on the evening of August 5, 2023, around 10:30 pm, in the city of Rovereto, Trento. Iris Setti was walking through a public park in the Santa Maria district when she was attacked by the suspect, a Nigerian homeless individual.
Reports indicate that the assault was so brutal that the victim, Iris Setti, succumbed to her injuries and passed away in the hospital. The motives behind the attack remain unclear, with possibilities including a rape attempt or a robbery.
Witnesses recounted seeing the assailant violently beating the woman, throwing her to the ground and using his fists and possibly a blunt object, potentially a stone, to strike her in the face and head. The perpetrator fled the scene but was apprehended shortly afterward by Carabinieri officers, who had to employ tasers to subdue and detain him.
Despite receiving medical attention at a local hospital, Iris Setti’s injuries were severe, leading to her eventual death.
Chukwuka has been charged with voluntary homicide by the Rovereto Public Prosecutor’s office. Notably, Chukwuka has a history of previous violent incidents, including an episode last year involving vandalizing parked cars and menacing people with a broken bottle.
The case has garnered attention and raised concerns within the Italian government. Matteo Salvini, the leader of the League party and Deputy Prime Minister, has questioned why the Nigerian suspect was in the country, urging the Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to provide clarifications.
Amidst this tragedy, efforts are underway to enhance law enforcement tools and security measures, including updates in video surveillance utilizing facial recognition technology.
In the midst of this grim situation, Iris Setti is remembered by friends and acquaintances as a reserved and polite individual. She was described as someone who, once befriended, opened her heart and was known for her athletic physique, elegance, and dedication to caring for her elderly mother.
