In Grenoble, a municipal policeman shot dead after attempting to intervene in a road accident

On Sunday 8 September, a tragic incident shook the city of Grenoble (Isère). A municipal cleaner was shot dead after attempting to restrain the perpetrator of a traffic accident. According to Grenoble public prosecutor Éric Vaillant, the accident occurred early in the morning, at around 7.30 am, on boulevard Jean-Pain, near the Stade des Alpes. A Polish-registered Audi collided violently with a Peugeot, reducing it to a wreck.

A courageous intervention with dramatic consequences
The driver of the Audi, who was drunk according to the public prosecutor, tried to flee the scene. A passer-by tried to restrain him, at which point the local constable intervened to lend a hand. Unfortunately, the driver pulled out a gun and fired twice at the constable, hitting him in the chest. Despite being rushed to Grenoble University Hospital, the employee succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Peugeot, although shocked, was not injured.

An investigation to find the shooter
The gunman is on the run and is being actively sought by the police. At this stage, his identity was still unknown late on Sunday afternoon. The public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation, which has been handed over to the local criminal investigation department. Grenoble has also set up a crisis unit to support the teams affected. As a sign of solidarity, the cleaners suspended market cleaning this Sunday afternoon.

A solemn tribute to the municipal worker
The mayor of Grenoble, Éric Piolle, paid tribute to the officer killed, describing him as ‘highly respected’ and ‘very committed to public service’. An official tribute will be held at the town hall at 2pm on Monday. On the X network, he expressed his sorrow at this ‘act of extreme violence’. Several prominent figures, including Marine Tondelier, national secretary of Europe Écologie Les Verts, and Senator Guillaume Gontard, expressed their emotion and support for the victim’s family and colleagues.

Shock and sadness have overcome Grenoble, a city now in mourning.