Two British cousins have been formally charged with attempted murder following a violent incident in Venice on Valentine's Day, which resulted in a young man being stabbed in the neck. The pair, aged 19 and 20, are alleged to have been involved in a confrontation that turned deadly after they trailed a woman between bars near the iconic Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal.
Details of the Valentine's Day Altercation
According to reports, the older cousin had become infatuated with the woman through Instagram, leading to an arranged meeting. The situation escalated when a 22-year-old Venetian man intervened between the cousins and the woman. Witnesses described a tense exchange in English, with one of the British men declaring, 'She's my girlfriend, I love her. The problem is, unfortunately, she doesn't love me.' The Venetian reportedly responded, 'You are in Italy, my home.'
The Stabbing and Immediate Aftermath
In a matter of seconds, the older cousin allegedly produced a 10cm switchblade and handed it to his younger relative. The younger suspect then grabbed the knife and stabbed the Venetian man in the neck as he turned to walk away. The victim was rushed to emergency surgery with a damaged artery, and local media reported that he pulled the blade from his neck before collapsing.
Scenes of panic ensued, 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 the 'attempted murder of San Valentino' by Italian media, was witnessed by several members of the victim's group, including the woman at the centre of the dispute.
Investigation and Arrests
Prosecutors believe the switchblade was passed between the cousins moments before the stabbing, an exchange allegedly captured on security cameras. After the attack, the two suspects fled, but one returned to retrieve the weapon from the bar floor in an apparent attempt to cover his tracks, unaware he was being filmed.
The cousins were tracked down by officers from Venice's Flying Squad, supported by police from San Marco, at an apartment in the historic centre. They were arrested, brought before prosecutors, and remanded in pre-trial custody after a court hearing. British officials were notified of their detention.
Ongoing Search and Background
Police divers are continuing to search the Grand Canal for the knife. Reports indicate that the two cousins 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. The woman involved told investigators she had been in contact via Instagram with one of the suspects, who introduced himself as 'Adam', and they had been messaging for some time before meeting.
This incident highlights the severe consequences of a dispute that spiralled out of control in one of Italy's most famous tourist destinations, leading to serious legal repercussions for the accused.
