The assailant killed three people before committing suicide, and four others were wounded in a shootout at a birthday party in a small commune in the Allier department. A criminal investigation was opened on Saturday July 13 into the tragic event, which took place in Espinasse-Vozelle, near Vichy

Three people shot dead at a birthday party. According to the public prosecutor’s statement, the assailant, a 57-year-old man, opened fire on his neighbors who were celebrating an open-air birthday party at around 9:45pm. The gunman fired several hundred meters from his home towards the neighbors’ home, killing three people: the 20-year-old birthday boy, his 53-year-old father and his 54-year-old godfather.

Four others injured. In addition to the three fatalities, four other people were injured and hospitalized. None of the injured is life-threatening. Fifteen witnesses were “impacted” by the tragedy and received psychological treatment.

Suicide of the assailant, a 57-year-old man. The shooter was found dead after the event, probably having committed suicide with the same weapon. The 57-year-old former soldier, apparently unknown to the police and judicial authorities, had a large quantity of weapons at home. According to the commune’s mayor, Michel Marien, he was a recluse who had taken part in major conflicts such as Afghanistan.

Investigation and psychological support. The Prefect of Allier, Pascale Trimbach, has deployed a considerable number of firefighters and gendarmes to the scene. A press conference is scheduled for Monday July 15 by public prosecutor Éric Neveu. A medical-psychological emergency unit has been set up in the village hall to support relatives and neighbors affected by the tragedy.