Man kills three in Milan court rampage

A man on trial for fraudulent bankruptcy opened fire in Milan’s courthouse in a “cold, premeditated” spree, killing his lawyer, a co-defendant and a judge before being captured nearly 25km away as he fled on a motorbike.

Italian premier Matteo Renzi promised a robust investigation into how the gunman, Claudio Giardiello, managed to bring a pistol into the fortress-like tribunal, where metal detectors are used for visitors but not for employees, magistrates and accredited lawyers.

“Our commitment is that this never happens again, and that those responsible pay,” Mr Renzi said.

He praised the “heroism” of police who finally identified and disarmed Giardiello in a shopping centre near his home town, where prosecutors said he planned to kill others related to his failed property venture.

Prosecutors said Giardiello, who was in court for a hearing on the bankruptcy, fired a total of 13 shots during four minutes in the courthouse, moving from a courtroom to the hallway and finally a judge’s chambers downstairs.

He had two spare cartridges and the pistol was loaded when he was apprehended.

“He acted with cold premeditation,” said prosecutor Tommaso Buonanno of Brescia, who is leading the investigation.

As the shots rang out, court employees barricaded themselves inside their offices and took cover under their desks while police hunted for the gunman, who according to video surveillance cameras fled out of the same entrance he used to enter the building.