Eva Deschamps / July 26, 2022
Heads bowed, slow step, a deafening silence... A hundred people gathered for a white march on Saturday in Dover in the Ain to pay tribute to the five victims of a blended family, killed on Tuesday night.
Armed with a rifle and a sword, the 22-year-old killer attacked his 51-year-old father, his 48-year-old girlfriend, his 17-year-old sister, his stepmother's 15-year-old daughter, and the child from the new union, a 4-year-old boy.
He was mortally wounded on Wednesday by the GIGN after having holed up in the house all night, refusing to surrender.
We are here to help the family, we are in solidarity with all the inhabitants who are here, confided to AFP Mickaël Briat, 41, very shocked. My son goes to the nursery with the little one who unfortunately died, so we are here to pay tribute to them and support them, continues in a trembling voice this forklift operator born in Dover, white gladioli in hand.
At 10 am, family, friends, neighbors and anonymous people leave the town hall square and head towards the victims' home, 400 meters away. The mayor, Christian Limousin, leads the march in a heavy atmosphere.
In front of the house, roses, peonies and candles are carefully aligned. Children put drawings, stuffed animals and balloons on the gate.
It was the first time we saw this town so silent, with this atmosphere, says Vincent Duché, 23 years old. The march was necessary, in calm and in respect, it was what was necessary, continues the young self-employed contractor from Dover who did not know the family.
This tragedy is one of the most deadly family killings in France in recent years. The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for voluntary manslaughter. A second investigation will focus on the use of their weapons by the GIGN.