Brit cousins, 19 and 21, are charged with tried homicide in Venice ‘after stabbing man within the neck in row over lady on Valentines Day close to prime tourism web site’
Two British cousins have been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed in the neck during a Valentine’s Day row in Venice.
The pair, aged 19 and 20, allegedly followed a young woman between bars near the Rialto Bridge after the older cousin contacted her on Instagram, before an argument later escalated into violence.
When a 22-year-old Venetian man stepped in between the cousins and the woman, the older cousin allegedly pulled out a 10cm switchblade and passed it to his relative.
In seconds, the younger suspect is said to have grabbed the knife and stabbed the local man in the neck as he turned to walk away following the exchange.
He was rushed into emergency surgery with a damaged artery.
According to local media reports, the confrontation began with a tense exchange in English.
Witnesses said one of the British men declared: ‘She’s my girlfriend, I love her. The problem is, unfortunately, she doesn’t love me.’
The Venetian is said to have replied: ‘You are in Italy, my home.’
Those present said the British man then whispered something to his cousin before a blade was snapped open and the Venetian was stabbed in the neck.
Two British cousins have been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed in the neck during a Valentine’s Day row in Venice
The pair, aged 19 and 20, allegedly trailed a young woman between bars near the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal after one of them became infatuated with her on Instagram. Pictured: Police divers are continuing to search the Grand Canal for the knife
When a 21-year-old Venetian man stepped in between the cousins and the woman, the older cousin allegedly pulled out a 10cm switchblade and passed it to his relative
Local outlets described scenes of panic, with screams and people fleeing as emergency services were called to the bar area near Campo Bella Vienna in the early hours of February 14.
The attack, dubbed by Italian media as the ‘attempted murder of San Valentino’, is said to have been witnessed by several members of the victim’s group, including the young woman at the centre of the dispute.
She told investigators she had been in contact via Instagram with one of the suspects, who introduced himself as ‘Adam’, and that they had been messaging for some time before arranging to meet.
He had told her he was staying in the Venice area with his cousin for about a month, having arrived on January 30 with a return ticket to London dated February 28, according to reports.
Local media said prosecutors believe the switchblade was passed between the cousins moments before the stabbing – an exchange allegedly seen by those present and captured on security cameras.
After the attack, the two suspects fled, reports said. Local reports said the wounded Venetian pulled the blade from his neck before collapsing.
Then, amid the confusion of the rescue efforts, one of the two Englishmen returned to retrieve the weapon, abandoned on the floor of the bar.
Prosecutors believe he returned to retrieve the weapon in an apparent attempt to cover his tracks, unaware he was being filmed on surveillance cameras, local media reported.
Local media said the two cousins were tracked down by officers from Venice’s Flying Squad, supported by police from San Marco, at an apartment in the historic centre.
The pair were arrested and brought before prosecutors. British officials were notified of their detention.
After a court hearing to confirm the arrests, they were remanded in pre-trial custody.
Police divers are continuing to search the Grand Canal for the knife.
Reports said the two had travelled to Venice for a holiday, arriving at the end of January and were due to return to England in the coming days on a pre-booked flight.
