Brief terror alarm in the Vatican: A man broke through a checkpoint with his car and gave himself a chase with the law enforcement officers. A shot in the direction of the car tires finally stopped him.
A driver broke through a police barrier at the Vatican and caused a brief terror alarm in the Papal States. As reported by Italian media, the 39-year-old man did not stop at a checkpoint near St. Peter’s Square on Sunday morning, but gave himself a short chase with the law enforcement officers. A police officer fired a shot in the direction of the wheels of the car. When the man stopped, he was taken out of his car. A taser was also used.
The daily newspaper “Corriere della Sera” reported that the scenes took place in streets and squares with a number of tourists who were in the vicinity for the Pope’s Angelus prayer. According to the Roman newspaper “Il Messaggero”, a terror alarm was briefly triggered in the Vatican. The Swiss Guard, who are responsible for the security of the Pope, closed an access gate to the Vatican when the shot was fired.