ESPINASSE-VOZELLE: A birthday celebration in Espinasse-Vozelle, a quiet village in central France, turned into a scene of horror as a gunman opened fire on party guests late on Saturday, leaving four people dead, including himself.
The shooting occurred around 9:30 pm local time when a man in his early 50s, who was not a guest at the birthday party, approached a neighboring house where a 20-year-old was celebrating with his family. Armed with a gun loaded with lead bullets, the assailant began firing indiscriminately at the party attendees. According to reports, three people were killed on the spot, including the young man celebrating his birthday and his father. The gunman subsequently took his own life.
Authorities have identified the shooter but have not disclosed his identity publicly pending further investigation. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with police stating they are still piecing together the sequence of events and the reasons that led to such a tragic outcome.
Several others were injured in the shooting and were rushed to the hospital, though their injuries were reported as non-life-threatening. Additionally, fifteen witnesses to the shooting were placed under the care of psychologists to help them cope with the traumatic experience.
Local officials and residents expressed shock and disbelief over the incident, describing it as unprecedented for their peaceful community. Michel Marien, the mayor of Espinasse-Vozelle, conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the need to understand what could have provoked such a violent act.
The area around the shooting was swiftly cordoned off by police, who also ensured the safety of participants at a nearby Bastille Day celebration that was ongoing at the time of the incident.
Law enforcement officials noted that the shooter had no prior criminal record, though documents indicating unpaid family support payments were found in his possession.
