A violent dispute over an unpaid pizza ended in tragedy at the Yoghi pizzeria on Via Gran Sasso d’Italia in Reggio Emilia, a city in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. Around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, the pizzeria’s owner—60-year-old Raffaele Stipa, who had run the business for nearly two decades—was fatally stabbed by a customer.
A Dispute That Turned Deadly
According to early investigative reports, the suspect—a regular patron—demanded a free pizza. Stipa reportedly refused, saying: “I’ve already bought you three—enough is enough.” Moments later, the man attacked him with a knife, delivering multiple stab wounds. Stipa’s sister was also seriously injured in the assault before the attacker fled the scene.
Witnesses and Surveillance Footage
The attack occurred in front of several customers who were inside the pizzeria at the time. It remains unclear whether the knife belonged to the establishment or was carried by the suspect. Crucially, security cameras captured the entire incident, providing investigators with decisive evidence. Police used the footage to identify and arrest the suspect later that same night.
The Suspect
As reported by Gazzetta di Reggio, the 43-year-old suspect is an Italian national named Pelati. He has prior involvement with law enforcement related to drug offenses. Italian newspaper La Repubblica confirmed his identity and noted that he had a small outstanding debt with the pizzeria—though the exact nature of that debt remains unclarified.
Community Mourning
In the hours following the killing, a silent crowd gathered outside the pizzeria to pay tribute to Stipa. Locals described him as a kind and beloved figure—“a wonderful person,” according to La Repubblica. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit neighborhood of Reggio Emilia.