“L’ho visto accoltellarlo e l’ho fermato”: il muratore che ha bloccato l’aggressore di San Siro a Milano

On Saturday morning in the San Siro neighborhood of Milan, a violent incident unfolded in front of shocked onlookers when a young man attacked an elderly man with a knife. The victim, a 55-year-old man, was sitting in a local bar with his son and other customers when the attacker approached without warning. According to witnesses and initial police reports, there had been no prior interaction or argument between the two men. The assailant, identified as a 22-year-old Italian citizen of Gambian origin named Mohamed Diouf, suddenly pulled out a seven-centimeter blade and stabbed the older man multiple times in the abdomen.

The attack lasted mere seconds but left the victim critically injured. He was rushed to the hospital in a critical condition, where he remains in a life-threatening state. The motive behind the assault has yet to be determined, though authorities have ruled out any direct connection between the attacker and the victim. There is also no indication that the perpetrator suffers from mental health issues or has a criminal record. Diouf arrived in Milan just days before the incident and is believed to be staying in the area temporarily. Investigators are now working to understand what led him to commit such a brutal act against a complete stranger.

Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the moment. One witness described how the attacker moved swiftly and methodically, delivering repeated blows to the victim’s midsection. Another account mentioned that the scene was chaotic, with bystanders scrambling to react. Despite the fear and confusion, one person took decisive action—Sobhi Rezk Azzam, a 38-year-old Egyptian construction worker who was nearby at the time. As the attacker attempted to flee after the attack, Azzam intervened, chasing him down and physically restraining him until the police arrived. His quick thinking and bravery prevented the assailant from escaping or potentially harming others.

According to Azzam's statements, he saw the attack unfold and immediately felt compelled to stop the perpetrator. "I saw him stab him and I stopped him," he said simply, describing the moment with calmness despite the intensity of the situation. Azzam managed to subdue Diouf long enough for law enforcement to arrive and take control of the suspect. His actions were crucial in ensuring that the attacker did not vanish into the streets, which could have made the investigation more difficult and possibly allowed further harm to occur.

The bar owner, still reeling from the incident, confirmed the lack of any prior relationship between the victim and the attacker. The victim was a regular customer, while the assailant was unknown to both the staff and patrons. The owner emphasized that the attack came completely out of nowhere, adding that the sudden violence had left everyone in disbelief. Surveillance footage from the bar corroborates the eyewitness accounts, showing the father and son seated calmly before the attacker appeared and launched the assault.

Authorities have since taken Diouf into custody, and he is currently under investigation for attempted murder. The case has sparked discussions about public safety and the need for greater awareness of potential threats in urban areas. Meanwhile, the community continues to process the shocking nature of the event, highlighting the unpredictable dangers that can arise in everyday settings. As the investigation unfolds, officials are urging anyone with information to come forward, hoping to uncover the full story behind this senseless act of violence.