Rome police are investigating a violent assault on YouTuber Simone Ruzzi, known online as Cicalone, near the Vatican. The attack happened around 18:30 on Wednesday at a metro station in the Prati district. Witnesses say about ten people ambushed the videomaker.
Ruzzi was struck from behind, knocked down and kicked repeatedly in the face. A security guard and Ruzzi’s filming partner, Evelina, were also targeted.
The attackers fled towards Viale Giulio Cesare before police arrived. Paramedics treated Ruzzi for multiple facial injuries at the scene.
He was later taken to Umberto I hospital, where doctors performed a CT scan to assess the damage.
“They could have killed me,” Ruzzi said from the ambulance. “This was a punishment organised by pickpocket ringleaders. We know who they are.”
Evelina told La Repubblica that the attack appeared coordinated. “At first there were only two,” she said. “Then others joined in. They didn’t stop.” She added that the group stayed in constant contact. “When the first ones saw him, they alerted the others already waiting at the station.”
Police suspect the attack was revenge for Ruzzi’s videos exposing organised pickpocketing on Rome’s underground.
Cicalone, a former boxer, has gained a large following by confronting thieves in metro stations and warning tourists. His YouTube channel has 865,000 subscribers, while hundreds of thousands follow him on Facebook and Instagram. Many commuters praise his work, saying his videos helped push authorities to strengthen metro security.
The YouTuber has been attacked several times before. In April, pickpockets assaulted him near Flaminio station.
In May, a driver tried to run him over in the Piramide area. Last summer, he was attacked twice near Naples’ main station.
Police are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the assailants and confirm whether the incident was premeditated.
