Overview
- Don Rodrigo Grajales Gaviria, 45, was attacked from behind late morning on December 30 near via Castelmaraldo and via Ganaceto in Modena’s city center.
- He sustained two wounds, including a serious neck injury, underwent emergency surgery at Baggiovara hospital, and is not believed to be in life‑threatening condition.
- Carabinieri are reconstructing the assault and searching for the suspect who fled the scene, and the motive remains unknown.
- A witness told local media the assailant seemed intent on harming rather than robbing the victim, and the priest later provided information to investigators after waking.
- Modena’s mayor expressed solidarity with the priest, who serves at San Giovanni Evangelista and as chaplain to the local Latin American community.