Today is Friday, July 29th, 2022.

On this day in 1900, King Umberto I of Italy was assassinated by an anarchist.

Welcome to Today in True Crime, a Spotify original from Parcast.

Due to the graphic nature of these crimes, listener discretion is advised.

This episode includes discussions of murder.

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Today, we're covering the assassination of Italy's King Umberto

the first. Now let's go back to Monza, Italy on July 29th, 1900. King Umberto was overseeing an athletic

competition in Monza, just northeast of Milan. He spent his summers there in his royal villa. Keeping up appearances was an important part of his duties, especially for a king who was becoming increasingly unpopular. And the 56-year-old monarch was uncomfortable. It was incredibly hot, even as night fell.

His security advisors typically demanded he wear a protective vest under his clothes. He'd been the

target of two previous assassination attempts. But on July 29th, the king refused to comply. It was

just too warm.

Meanwhile, Gaetano Bresci worked his way through the crowds.

He'd been in town for a few days after a multi-week journey from New Jersey.

During that time, as the monarch and his retainers moved about the city, he waited for a moment

to strike. The moment came after

the competition ended, King Umberto distributed prizes to the athletes and was cheered on by a large

crowd. Then he left the platform and headed for his carriage. As he did so, Bresci snaked through the spectators and pulled his revolver.

Just as the monarch took his seat in the carriage, Bresci rushed forward.

He fired four times, striking King Umberto in his shoulder and in the chest near his

heart.

Supposedly, the king choked out,

...