CATANIA - A fight that broke out over seating at a child’s first communion led to the paternal grandfather firing a pistol and seriously injuring a Carabiniere, police said. The pensioner has been arrested, along with five others.

 The incident unfolded in Acireale, just north of Catania in Sicily, on Sept. 5. Carabinieri reconstructed the events using video surveillance images of the church in via Santa Maria degli Ammalati.

 It appears the argument broke out because the father had been positioned by the organisers in the front row with his new partner, while the ex-wife had been told to sit further back. The maternal grandfather and the uncle began to argue with the paternal grandfather, which turned to fists, despite the presence of numerous children. This then calmed down temporarily and the first communion went ahead as planned.

 After the ceremony, the paternal grandfather contacted the Carabinieri asking to be accompanied from the church to his car because he feared for his safety. Upon their arrival, another quarrel broke out, which soon escalated to a physical fight. The Carabinieri intervened to de-escalate the brawl, when the paternal grandfather fired a gunshot hitting  Deputy Brigadier Sebastiano Giovanni Grasso in the head. Grasso, 43, is in hospital in serious condition.

 The grandfather, who was not identified, has been charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

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