italy's prime minister paolo gentiloni has condemned the attack and said hatred and violence will not be allowed to divide the country. our rome correspondent james reynolds is following developments. as far as we can tell from the local media and police, the gunman opened fire from his car in the city of macerata. he targeted a group of people who appear to be migrants from africa. the gunman was able to continue going and firing against other groups and people. at that point, the authorities sent out tweets telling people to stay indoors. the gunman was arrested and as he was detained, there are reports he gave a gesture interpreted as a fascist salute. a lot of people are looking at what happened earlier this week near macerata. the dismembered body of an 18—year—old italian woman was found near the city. after her body was found, a nigerian migrant was arrested. that is the backdrop of what has been happening in that city, now the shooting. it is important to look at it in the context of the election coming up. and the fact that migration has become such a big issue. and now c

italy's prime minister paolo gentiloni has insisted that hate and violence will not divide his country — after a series of drive—by shootings which the police say were motivated by racism. six people, all of african descent, were injured in the town of macerata in central italy. police have arrested a 28—year—old man, who is a supporter of the far—right, anti—immigrant northern league. from italy, james reynolds reports. one man, a young italian armed with a pistol, turned the italian city of macerata into a terrifying place. the gunman fired from his car at anyone who appeared to be a migrant from africa. there was no time for his targets to hide. i was passing by this morning to go and buy cigarettes. when they shot me on my leg this morning, you know. so the person inside the car was shooting, you know. during the attack, the authorities posted warnings instructing the city's residents to stay inside. the gunman was arrested when he got out of his car. he was draped in an italian flag. witnesses say that they saw him give a fascist salute. he is identified as 28—yearâ€

paolo gentiloni said hatred and violence would not be allowed to divide society. it happened here in the central italian city of macerata. all of the victims were african migrants. one is in a critical condition. police arrested this man, 28—year—old luca traini. he reportedly made a fascist hand gesture when police took him into custody. james reynolds reports from rome. one man, a young italian armed with a pistol, turned the italian city of macerata into a terrifying place. the gunman drove and fired at anyone who appeared to be a migrant from africa. there was no time for his targets to hide. i was passing by this morning to go and buy cigarettes when they shot me on my leg this morning, you know? so the person who was inside the car was shooting, you know? i tried to see his face, yeah. during the attack, the authorities posted warnings instructing the city's residents to stay inside. the gunman was arrested when he got out of his car. he was draped in an italian flag. he is identified as 28—year—old luca traini. the italian media reports he had been

italy's prime minister paolo gentiloni, here at anti—fascism rally, has said that hate and violence will not divide his country. presidente, this has been a dangerous and angry campaign. what is your response? he prefers not to answer. the increase in migration and the response to it have changed life in italy. they have become the central issues in this election. and both sides in the debate want to get out onto the street. on saturday, anti—migration campaigners demonstrated in milan and scuffled with the police. this movement, increasing in number, is led by the far right league party. its leader, matteo salvini, has promised the mass deportation of illegal migrants. earlier in the week in rome, i asked him why he thought migrants were so dangerous. translation: too many illegal migrants are dangerous for italy and all of europe. think of the foreign fighters that return to italy from wars in islamic regions. they are a real danger. in a week's time, italy will decide whether or not it agrees with him or with those who believe that this country still has room for new arrivals. james