A police officer in Bobigny, Seine-Saint-Denis, has been indicted and placed in pre-trial detention for murder following a fatal shooting incident. The 27-year-old officer, who was off duty at the time, is accused of shooting a man who was allegedly squatting at his grandmother's home.
The incident occurred early Saturday morning when the officer's grandmother reported hearing suspicious noises. The officer, who works for the territorial traffic and road safety company of 93, arrived at her home armed with his service weapon. In the garage, he encountered the intruder and, believing the man was armed, fired seven times. Five bullets struck the victim, who died on the spot.
The victim, a man in his thirties of Algerian origin, was known as a street cigarette seller and had been arrested twice for this activity. He was in an irregular situation and had reportedly taken refuge at the officer's grandmother's home for a few days. The supposed weapon he was carrying turned out to be a caulk gun used for making grout.
Initially, the prosecution had requested the officer's placement under judicial supervision. However, the investigating judge referred the matter to the judge of freedoms and detention (JLD), who decided that pre-trial detention was more appropriate for the proper conduct of the investigation. The officer's alcohol and drug tests were negative, and he has been charged with 'murder without aggravating circumstances,' as his status as a person holding public authority was not accepted since he was off duty.
- The Bobigny prosecutor's office confirmed that the officer used his administrative weapon during the shooting. The officer immediately notified the police after the incident, explaining that he believed the intruder was threatening him with a weapon.
- The case has drawn significant attention due to the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the fact that the officer was off duty. The decision to place the officer in pre-trial detention underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the case.
- The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case progresses. The officer's actions and the events leading up to the shooting will be scrutinized to determine whether the use of deadly force was justified.
