The murderer of Brigadier Eric M., killed Wednesday in the city center of Avignon during an anti-drug operation, has still not been arrested, announced the prosecutor of the Republic of Avignon, Philippe Guémas, this Thursday, May 6.
However, one person was taken into police custody, present at the time of the events.
Read also: Drugs: from a simple fine to the fight against gangs, the police on all fronts
The prosecutor retraced the facts which cost the life of Eric M. Wednesday, around 6.30 p.m., an intervention brigade from the interdepartmental district of public security of Vaucluse-Gard was deployed, on the return from Carpentras, in the Avignon city center after being alerted by residents of unrest in the town.
On the spot, not having noticed anything, Eric M. and two colleagues “
take the initiative
” to go to a nearby street, known to be a point of deal. They observe a transaction between two individuals, one with a satchel, and a buyer. Eric M. and a colleague then decided to discreetly follow the buyer. Once at her height, he questions her and she recognizes the facts. "
At that moment, the two individuals come towards the agents, and one of them asks them what they are doing there
", specifies the prosecutor. Eric M. declines his quality of police officer, armband in hand. "
The individual then immediately took out a weapon and fired
», Touching him twice.
Eric M.'s colleague fired twice in retaliation, without hitting his target.
The sergeant died of his injuries.
Read also: Dive into the heart of the "police force"
This Thursday, the “
drug addict arrested
” was taken into custody.
However, the two individuals, including the murderer of Eric M., have still not been found.
"
All means are being implemented,
" said Philippe Guémas, who retained the qualification of "
murder
".
Ten days after the Rambouillet attack
“
The fight against drug trafficking, everywhere in the country, is like a war.
We are waging this war thanks to soldiers, (...) the police and gendarmes of France.
Today, one of these soldiers died as a hero
”, declared the Minister of the Interior at the Avignon police station on Wednesday evening.
“
Everything is done so that this heinous act does not go unpunished,
” the head of government Jean Castex had promised on Wednesday, announcing the news on Twitter.
To read also: Avignon: Eric M., a policeman and "exemplary" father, killed by a drug trafficker
This murder of a police officer near a drug trafficking site comes as the executive has made the fight against trafficking a priority and insecurity is shaping up to be a major theme of the presidential election campaign. This tragedy, which occurs ten days after the assassination of a police officer killed with a knife in an "
Islamist
"
attack
according to the national anti-terrorism prosecution, in the Rambouillet police station, also aroused strong reactions from the trade unions. police officers.
Vaucluse, one of the ten poorest departments in France, has seen an increase in drug trafficking in recent years. "
In the department, since January 1, there have been 83 arrests for drug trafficking, more than 60 operations against deal points
," said Gerald Darmanin.
