As often, Vincent, a policeman at BAC 75 N (the nighttime anti-crime brigade), is early to take up his duty on November 13, 2015. But on the road, he receives an SMS from a colleague telling him to hurry " because there are attacks in Paris”.
He retrieves a shotgun, a bulletproof vest but no heavy helmet, and heads for the Place de la République.
The carnage at the Bataclan has begun.
His department head, a commissioner on patrol, is already inside with a teammate where they shot down a first terrorist.
"The boss insistently asks us to join him", recounts Julien who, with his colleagues, will be among the first speakers in the performance hall.
This often overlooked operation,
the policeman unrolls it this Thursday before the Special Assize Court where he testifies as a civil party and not as a witness.
The nuance is significant for this burly man who fell into a “great depression” after this dive into horror.
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