BOLOGNA - Giampiero Gualandi, a 63-year-old police officer, was detained on charges of voluntary manslaughter, accused of murdering his colleague Sofia Stefani, police said.

 The 33-year-old woman was killed by a gunshot to the head at the local police command in Anzola Emilia (Bologna), fired from Gualandi's service weapon. The incident occurred shortly before 4 PM in a room at the police command, where the two had met alone.

 Stefani had requested the meeting with Gualandi to discuss their deteriorating romantic relationship, which he had wanted to end. What was intended to be a clarifying conversation reportedly turned into a femicide. However, the defense maintains that it was an accident.

 It appears that Stefani was unwilling to accept the end of their relationship and had contacted Gualandi to reconcile, subsequently visiting his office. Gualandi, however, was opposed to rekindling the relationship. Evidence of their past relationship includes several messages exchanged between the two, which have been entered into the case files.

 Stefani had a boyfriend, who has been interviewed by investigators, while Gualandi is married.

 In the initial emergency calls reporting Stefani's death, Gualandi described the incident as an accident: a shot fired accidentally during a struggle and cleaning of the weapon in the local police office. Investigators do not find this account credible.

 Indeed, about half an hour before Stefani arrived at the police offices, Gualandi retrieved his service weapon from a locker in another room, a move that witnesses said was unusual since there was no reason to have the weapon during the meeting. The gun, according to some sources, was loaded with more than one bullet.

 Gualandi’s defense attorney, Claudio Benenati, stated that they would clarify all aspects of the incident during the confirmation hearing: "In Saturday's hearing, we intend to respond to the interrogation and clarify every detail of what happened. It was an accident, not a premeditated act, not a femicide. It is an immense tragedy for which we are all devastated."

 There were no cameras in the office to capture what happened, and no one else in the building reported hearing any shouting or raised voices, only the gunshot.

 Gualandi, who invoked his right to remain silent during the interrogation, is now in custody in Bologna and will appear before the judge today for the validation hearing.

 The victim was stationed at the Sala Bolognese post, while Gualandi had returned to service in Anzola and had previously served as the head of the local police for the Intermunicipal Union of Terre d'acqua.

 “This incident has shaken our community—the death of a 33-year-old woman from a gunshot wound,” said Anzola’s Mayor Giampiero Veronesi. “It is a devastating loss, and we must find the strength to come together as a community. For this reason, I am declaring a day of mourning.”