Death of Nicolas in a shooting in Ardèche: what we know about the arrest of two suspects in Marseille and Vaucluse

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After the shooting of a 22-year-old rugby player in front of a nightclub in Ardèche on Halloween evening, two suspects were arrested Monday evening in Marseille and Cavaillon in Vaucluse.

Just a few days after the death of Nicolas Dumas, a 22-year-old rugby player, in front of the Le Seven nightclub in Saint-Péray in Ardèche, two suspects were arrested Monday evening. We take stock of the investigation.

Who are the two suspects?

The main suspect was arrested in Marseille, in the city of Bricarde in the northern districts, Monday evening at 6:25 p.m., on a deal point, by a police crew from the Bac Nord brigade. This 20-year-old man was in possession of Italian identity documents, specifies The Dauphiné Libéré. His accomplice was arrested 2 hours later in Cavaillon in Vaucluse. This 23-year-old man was arrested by police officers from the organized and specialized crime division of Drôme-Ardèche (formerly the judicial police).

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What is the motive for Nicolas' death?

A possible link between the shooting and drug trafficking was quickly made a few hours after the tragedy, based on a police source. The management of the Le Seven nightclub, through its lawyer Ivan Flaud, “categorically denies any link with any drug trafficking” in its establishment. The perpetrator, dressed in black and hooded, arrived on foot, walking calmly with his hands in his pockets, before taking out a handgun. He fired 4 or 5 times, according to witnesses. A projectile resembling 9 mm caliber was found inside a Volkswagen Golf parked in the nightclub parking lot.

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How are the injured?

A customer and a nightclub security guard, who were near the queue, were slightly injured in the legs.

Where is the investigation?

The investigation was until now led by the public prosecutor of Privas. It will now be managed by the Specialized Interregional Jurisdiction of Marseille (JIRS).