Murder of 19-year-old near drug dealing point in Alès: mayor demands police reinforcements
A 19-year-old man was shot dead on Wednesday near a drug dealing point in Alès (Gard). The mayor met the Interior Minister to demand reinforcements.
Fatal shooting in Alès: Christophe Rivenq calls on Minister Nunez for reinforcements
According to ici.fr, a young man of 19 years old, originally from Hérault and known for drug trafficking offences, was shot dead on Wednesday evening at the foot of a building at the intersection of Rue Lavoisier and Rue Marcel-Paul, in the Près-Saint-Jean neighbourhood in Alès (Gard). The area is listed as an active drug dealing point.
The following day, Thursday, Alès mayor Christophe Rivenq met with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, who was visiting Gard. This is the third time the Alès elected official has raised the issue of his town's security situation with the minister. In January, following a previous murder in the same neighbourhood, Rivenq had obtained the deployment of riot police for several weeks.
"Announcements, yes, but announcements that translate into action very quickly," the mayor argued. He added that "we have the right to demand our right to everyday security," also highlighting the work of Alès police in the fight against drug trafficking.
Laurent Nunez indicated that he would respond quickly to the mayor "after consulting his director general of police to reinforce personnel," according to ici.fr.
The Nîmes prosecutor's office confirmed in a statement that the victim was 19 years old and originally from Hérault. The Public Prosecutor for Nîmes, Cécile Gensac, clarified that an investigation for "aggravated murder" had been opened. Investigations continue as part of a procedure for murder in an organised gang.
Furthermore, ici.fr reports that a 45-year-old man is to be brought before the court for an immediate trial at the judicial tribunal. He is suspected of deliberately hitting a 62-year-old individual with his van on Saturday evening, in front of a garage in Alès. The victim was seriously injured.
Finally, following the death of a detainee at Nîmes prison on Saturday 28 March, two fellow inmates have been charged with murder, according to a statement from the Nîmes prosecutor's office dated 31 March.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)