The Tempio Pausania Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation following the death of a fifty-seven-year-old man from Olbia, Gianpaolo Demartis. The incident occurred yesterday, when the Carabinieri responded to the outskirts of the town because he was causing panic on Via San Michele, where he also allegedly attempted to break into several homes . The victim lived in Olbia, was born in Sassari, and originally from Bultei.
Upon their arrival, the Carabinieri approached Demartis, but it was difficult to subdue him, so they decided to use a Taser . During the ambulance transfer, however, the fifty-seven-year-old suffered cardiac arrest and died, despite the paramedics' attempts to revive him. According to initial reports, he had previously suffered from heart problems.
The prosecutor's office and the Carabinieri will investigate. Demartis was out of control; the Carabinieri would not have had many alternatives. His death necessitated the opening of an investigation. Over the years, he had briefly run a business on Via Zanfarino in Sassari, where he sold typical Sardinian products. His lawyer, Marco Manca, had requested probation after a conviction for drug dealing. He was reportedly in Olbia to visit relatives .
According to the SIC (Independent Carabinieri Union), the victim, despite repeated calls for calm, lashed out "with unspeakable violence" at the officers, striking one of them in the face and causing such injuries that he needed to be taken to the hospital . This led to the use of a Taser: when he was on the ground, relatives arrived before he was loaded into an ambulance.
According to the SIC , the Carabinieri officers acted "professionally, adhering to the operational procedures established when responding to individuals in a serious state of psychophysical alteration and engaging in highly dangerous behavior." National Secretary Luigi Pettineo offered immediate psychological and legal assistance to his colleagues and will request the activation of the legal protection provided for in the security package, so that the Carabinieri will not incur any costs in exercising their right to defense in criminal proceedings.