In the village of Espinasse-Vozelle, a few kilometers west of Vichy, a man opened fire at a private party he was attending. The neighbor burst in on the bangs of a birthday party, killing three people before taking his own life. The reasons for his act remain unknown. The incident took place on the night of Saturday July 13 to Sunday July 14 in a village in the Allier region of France

“Four people died, including the gunman,” Eric Neveu, the Cusset public prosecutor, told AFP. Four other people were injured, but their lives are not in danger.

The assailant acted for no apparent reason, opening fire at a twenty-year-old’s birthday party, killing him, his father and a guest. According to Jérôme Piques, the Moulins public prosecutor, the shooter was a neighbor, unknown to the police and the justice system. He was not invited to the party, and fired at his victims from a path connecting his home to the house where the celebration was being held. No shots were exchanged, and it appears that a pellet gun was used.

“The most likely hypothesis is that he turned the gun on himself after firing,” said Jérôme Piques.

The prefecture has confirmed the death toll at four, with four injured, adding that some fifteen witnesses are receiving psychological treatment.

Michel Marien, the village mayor, expressed his dismay: “It’s dramatic. We can’t prepare for it. It’s a shock. It’s a family tragedy that affects the whole commune,” he told La Montagne.

Major resources, including firefighters and gendarmes, were deployed to the scene. The village festival, which was taking place in parallel with a fireworks display, was contained and participants were kept on site.

The Allier prefecture issued a message on social networks, indicating that firefighters, elements of the SAMU, and security forces were immediately deployed. The sub-prefect of Vichy went to the scene, and a CUMP (Cellule d’Urgence Médico-Psychologique) was set up.

“In these dramatic circumstances, our thoughts and support go out to the victims and their families,” added the prefecture.

A safeguard plan was activated by the mayor, and the village’s multi-purpose hall was opened to host a psychological unit, providing support to around 15 relatives and neighbors of the victims.