On February 6, 2025, two police officers were attacked and injured during a violent confrontation with a 26-year-old French man at the Viverone Sud service station along the Ivrea-Santhià highway.
The incident began around 12:00 PM when the assailant, after having been involved in a car accident with what was later determined to be a stolen vehicle, was dropped off at the service area. Witnesses reported his aggressive behavior upon entering the station, where he attempted to hijack another vehicle, threatening the occupants with violence.
According to local news reports, the situation escalated quickly. "The attacker took out a hammer from his jacket and began violently hitting one of the police officers on the head," stated sources close to the investigation. The police officers on site, having noticed the unusual commotion, approached to intervene.
During the altercation, the assailant attempted to flee but chose instead to assault the officers. One officer, seeing the escalation of violence, pulled his service weapon, shooting the assailant. Although intended for self-defense, the bullet struck the assailant and also grazed the other officer.
Emergency services responded swiftly, closing off the freeway section from the Albiano junction toward Vercelli, and series of ambulances along with rescue helicopters were dispatched to the scene. All three injured individuals were transported to local hospitals.
Reports indicate the assailant sustained serious injuries, with medics noting he would need emergency surgery due to the gunshot wound. Meanwhile, the officer who suffered head trauma was reported to be conscious and stable. The second officer's injuries were less severe.
This shocking act of violence has drawn immediate public scrutiny and concern. Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Chamber of Deputies, expressed his support, saying, "I am close to the injured police officers this morning during the brutal attack at the Viverone Sud service station and wish them a speedy recovery." This statement reflects broader worries about the safety of law enforcement personnel working on the front lines.
The highway section was reopened later once authorities finished collecting evidence, but calls for heightened security measures and investigative clarity remain strong among the public and police ranks.
Investigations will continue to determine the exact chain of events and the motivations behind the assailant's actions, with security footage from the service area likely providing additional insights. Public discussions about police safety and community relations are also expected to be reignited by this violent incident.