milan police are investigating the death of a Chinese national following a shooting earlier this week. Liu Wenham, 30, died Saturday at Niguarda Hospital after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds during a confrontation with officers on February 1st. The incident followed a series of concerning encounters with law enforcement in the days prior, raising questions about the circumstances leading to the fatal shooting and the subsequent legal proceedings involving the officers involved.
A 30-year-old man died Saturday afternoon at a hospital in Milan, days after a shootout with police. Liu Wenham, a Chinese national, was critically wounded February 1 in a confrontation that began after authorities say he robbed a security guard of a handgun.
Hospitalization Following Shooting
Wenham had been hospitalized in critical condition at Niguarda Hospital. He sustained four gunshot wounds from an officer with the Uopi unit, using a Heckler & Koch UMP9 rifle. One bullet struck his shoulder, and another hit his face, according to reports. The officer opened fire after Wenham allegedly discharged a Walther P99 pistol – the same weapon stolen moments earlier from the security guard, who had been attacked with a crowbar.
Events Leading Up to the Shootout
Wenham was in Italy illegally and had been repeatedly stopped by railway police in the days before the shooting. He was first checked on January 30 near the Rogoredo station after being observed with rocks and a chain, resulting in a report. The following evening, January 31, he allegedly threatened a security guard at the Galleria delle Carrozze in Milan’s Central Station. Later that same night, he attempted another theft at the Central Station, leading to a second report and transport to the Fatebenefratelli hospital due to erratic behavior and self-harm, reportedly banging his head.
The Confrontation and Aftermath
On February 1, Wenham struck a security guard with a crowbar and stole a pistol on Via Enrico Caviglia. Police received reports shortly after 2:30 p.m. from a building on Via Paolo Pallia. A patrol car and then a Land Rover from the Unità operativa di primo intervento arrived at the scene, locating Wenham near a bus shelter. He reportedly fired at the officers, who returned fire. The four officers involved were initially placed under investigation for unintentional injury, but prosecutors are now expected to reclassify the investigation as manslaughter. This procedural step, according to the Milan prosecutor’s office, is standard practice to protect the officers involved.
