Sicilian gunman kills five in town hall
The mayor and other civic officials were among five people killed in a Sicilian town hall by a gunman today.
Police in Aci Castello were hunting the killer, who fled after the shooting rampage.
The victims included two women.
Police said mayor Michele Tocsin and three staff were shot in the town hall.
A pensioner was shot dead in the square outside and another person was injured.
The gunman was identified as Giuseppe Leotta, a municipal worker on a short-term contract, who
had tried to meet the mayor for job talks.
Reports said Leotta left the town hall after the mayor had refused to meet him only to return with a gun and start the rampage.
Police using helicopters began a massive manhunt for Leotta, who was believed to be still armed.
Some churches in Aci Castello, a few miles north of Catania in eastern Sicily, were closed, while police were patrolling schools as pupils were finishing class for the day.
