ROME - Vittorio Brumotti and a team of journalists were attacked in Via Costante Girardengo in the Zen quarter of Palermo Sunday afternoon. Brumotti had been investigating drug dealing within the city and how it is managed. This particular neighbourhood profits greatly from drug dealing and consequently Brumotti's presence was not welcomed. 

 Just prior to the attack, Brumotti and his team from the Mediaset Group exited their car in order to interview residents about their knowledge of drug pushers in the city. According to witnesses and investigators, stones were thrown at the armoured car, and a large piece of cement was launched from a balcony, landing on the roof. A bullet hole was discovered on the side of the car and people also shouted insults and death threats. Brumotti has since posted a photo of the bullet hole on Instagram with the caption “this bullet was for me.”

 Brumotti and the team were reportedly able to escape the attack with the help of police, and have not sustained any injuries.

 This is not the first event of its kind in the Zen quarter. In the past weeks, a bus was also attacked with stones and bullets as an act of intimidation.

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