In a shocking incident amidst the ongoing France riots 2023, attackers attempted to set fire to the home of a suburban Paris mayor overnight and fired rockets at the fleeing wife and children of the official. The incident, which is being treated as attempted murder, has caused widespread shock and garnered condemnation from France’s Prime Minister, Elisabet Borne.
The targeted mayor, Vincent Jeanbrun, was fortunately not present at the time of the attack in L’Haÿ-les-Roses, south of Paris. However, his wife, Melanie Nowak, suffered a broken leg, and one of their children was also injured in the assault. The suspects behind the attack remain unidentified, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the incident, which occurred at 01:30 local time on Sunday.
According to a report by BBC, Jeanbrun revealed that the assailants used a car to forcefully breach the gates of their residence before setting the vehicle ablaze, intending for the fire to spread to the house. As Nowak attempted to flee with their five- and seven-year-old children, they were met with a barrage of fireworks rockets. The horrifying ordeal has been denounced as “a murder attempt of unspeakable cowardice” by Mayor Jeanbrun.
The attack on Mayor Jeanbrun’s home coincided with the fifth night of violent protests across France sparked by the death of Nahel M, a 17-year-old who was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop. As tensions flared, approximately 45,000 police officers were deployed to maintain control during the protests. The interior ministry reported a relatively calmer Saturday night compared to previous days, with fewer overall arrests.
However, the unrest still saw over 700 arrests throughout the country, and more than 800 fires were set by rioters overnight, officials confirmed.
Prior to the attack, Mayor Jeanbrun had called on the French government to impose a state of emergency in response to the riots. President Emmanuel Macron, however, has not yet taken such measures. President Macron is set to convene with top officials later to address the ongoing crisis.
The assault on the mayor’s home and the injuries inflicted upon his wife and child have amplified concerns about the escalating violence and its impact on public safety. Prime Minister Borne labeled the incident “intolerable,” echoing the sentiments expressed by politicians from various parties who have rallied behind Mayor Jeanbrun in a display of solidarity.
The attempted murder of the mayor’s family has shocked the nation and sparked widespread outrage amidst the already volatile France riots. The authorities must swiftly identify and apprehend the perpetrators to bring them to justice and restore a sense of security in the affected communities.
Sources By Agencies
