Violet Gibson was an Irish woman living in Italy who grew increasingly disillusioned with Benito Mussolini’s regime, which was imposing strict totalitarian policies. On the morning of April 7, she attended an event where Mussolini was to speak. As he emerged to address the crowd, she took out a revolver and fired a shot, narrowly missing him and instead injuring a bystander. Despite the chaos, Mussolini remained unharmed and continued his speech, displaying a sense of bravado. Gibson was quickly apprehended by police, and her actions were met with mixed reactions in Italy, indicative of the divisive environment surrounding Mussolini's rule. The attempt was seen as a protest against fascism and brought attention to the repressive climate that was growing in the country at the time. Throughout the incident, Mussolini himself demonstrated his usual charismatic and defiant persona, showcasing his skill in maneuvering public relations even in the face of direct threats to his life. Gibson's assassination attempt served as an early example of resistance against fascism in Europe, representing the dissent that was brewing amid widespread repression.