A new suspect was arrested overnight Monday to Tuesday as part of the investigation into the death of a police officer killed by a van near Lyon, we learned Tuesday from sources familiar with the matter.
He is a young adult suspected of having been in the vehicle who struck the police officer on the night of January 10 to 11. Nordine L. was arrested by the judicial police in the vicinity of Saint-Etienne (Loire). He is the third suspect arrested in this case.
A man arrested on January 16 has already admitted to being the driver of the van which struck the police officer and was charged with intentional homicide. A 15-year-old adolescent arrested the previous day was placed in pre-trial detention, according to the prosecution.
"The investigation is progressing well"
Franck Labois, a 45-year-old police officer assigned to the Operational Support Group (GAO) at the Sûreté départementale du Rhône, was cut down during an intervention on the night of January 10 to 11. Intervention during which he was to arrest individuals suspected of being involved in an aggravated robbery case in an organized gang. He died of his injuries on January 13.
An official tribute, in the presence in particular of the Minister of the Interior Christophe Castaner, was paid to Franck Labois Friday at the prefecture of Lyon. The Knight of the Legion of Honor badges were awarded posthumously to the police officer, who was also elevated to the rank of captain. "This crime will not go unpunished, justice will be done," assured the minister, who believes that "the investigation is progressing well".