Shooting during a wedding in Thionville, at least one dead and 5 injured

The investigation is moving towards the possibility of a settling of scores between drug traffickers.

One person was killed and five others injured in a shooting during a wedding in Thionville (Moselle) on the night of Sunday June 30, police sources said, citing a context of drug trafficking.

Two people were seriously injured, one of whom is in a desperate condition, a police source told AFP. The perpetrators of the shooting, several armed and hooded men, fled. The events took place at the Eden Palace, a reception hall specializing in weddings, where around a hundred people were present.

“It was during a wedding. A group of individuals, at around 1:15 a.m., went out to smoke in front of the room and then three heavily armed guys arrived and opened fire several dozen times in their direction.reported a police source.

” Settling scores ”

The attackers arrived in a 4×4, “probably BMW brand”, according to the same source. Investigators still do not know the origin of the vehicle, particularly whether it came from Germany or Luxembourg, whose borders are around fifteen kilometers away.

“We are clearly heading towards a settling of scores against a backdrop of drug trafficking”indicated this source. “The marriage was not the target as such, it was the people who were at the wedding.”

On site this Sunday morning, AFP reporters were able to see police officers busy taking samples from a car. At least three bullet holes are visible on a glass door giving access to the large reception room. “Numerous shell casings were discovered at the scene”reported the regional daily “Le Républicain Lorrain”.

On its website, the Eden Palace claims to be able to accommodate 600 covers and 800 guests. The establishment is located in a commercial area outside Thionville. The investigation has been entrusted to the Metz judicial police.

The border region of Lorraine is plagued by drug trafficking. In May 2023, in Villerupt, in the neighboring department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, gunfire between rival gangs at a drug dealing point left five people injured.