Investigators are working to reconstruct the psychological and personal profile of 31-year-old Salim El Koudri following an attack in the heart of Modena. El Koudri was arrested on charges of mass murder and aggravated injury after striking several pedestrians with a car in the city’s historic center on Saturday, May 16.
Investigation into Past Communications
As part of the ongoing inquiry, authorities have acquired four emails sent by El Koudri to the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia on April 27, 2021. These messages, sent within a single hour between 19:28 and 20:38, reveal intense anger and frustration regarding his employment status.
In the correspondence, El Koudri expressed an obsession with finding work, stating, “You must make me work as an employee, not a warehouse worker.” The emails also contained hostile religious messages, including the statement: “Christian bastards… You and your Jesus Christ on the cross, I will burn him.” He later sent a message apologizing for his “rudeness.”
Mental Health and Social Isolation
Authorities are examining whether economic hardship and social isolation contributed to the incident. Records indicate that El Koudri had been followed by mental health services between 2022 and 2024 for schizoid personality disorders.
Modena Prefect Fabrizia Triolo confirmed that while episodes of psychic alteration had been reported in the past, contact with El Koudri had subsequently been lost. Those who knew him described him as an isolated figure who lacked stable employment and had progressively withdrawn from social life.
Terrorism vs. Personal Instability
While investigators are searching his mobile phone and social media profiles for signs of radicalization, they have stated that the theory of Islamic terrorism currently lacks concrete evidence. Searches of his home did not reveal connections to extremist environments or proof of ideological planning.
The prevailing hypothesis among investigators is that the attack was a result of severe mental instability and personal distress. Technical assistance from Meta is being sought to recover deleted messages from his social media accounts, which had reportedly been flagged for policy violations in recent months and were closed following the attack.
Personal Profile
El Koudri, a resident of Ravarino, had been an Italian citizen since September 27, 2009. His family had arrived in Ravarino in 2000, and he was described by Mayor Maurizia Rebecchi as a “model student” during his time in primary and secondary school.
Following his schooling, El Koudri attended high school in Modena and eventually earned a degree in business economics from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific charges against Salim El Koudri?
He has been arrested on charges of mass murder and aggravated injury.
Is there evidence of a terrorist motive?
At this time, investigators have found no concrete evidence of Islamic terrorism or ideological planning in his home or digital communications.
What was El Koudri’s mental health history?
He was reportedly followed by mental health services between 2022 and 2024 for schizoid personality disorders.
How can society better identify individuals sliding into extreme social and psychological isolation?
