Shooting in Poitiers: victims, link with drug trafficking… what we know about the tragedy which left 5 injured including a teenager in absolute emergency

A shooting broke out during the night from Thursday to Friday in front of a restaurant in Poitiers during which five people were injured, including a minor who is between life and death.

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Shooting in Poitiers: a brawl breaks out between dozens of people, five seriously injured including a 15-year-old minor between life and death

How did the facts unfold?

The events took place around 10:45 p.m. this Thursday, October 31, at Place Coimbra, in the Couronneries district, known to be the scene of drug trafficking. According to information from BFMTV, shots were fired by individuals in a car, who then fled. When the police arrived, according to police sources, 50 to 60 people were involved in scuffles. The police then used three tear gas grenades to disperse them. On the ground, they found around ten 22 caliber shell casings and a first injured person, shot in the head.

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Drug trafficking: up to 5,000 euros per month for a manager, 1,500 euros for a “nanny”… the crazy figures for street dealing

Who are the victims?

Aged 15, the young man was hospitalized in a state of absolute emergency, his life prognosis being in jeopardy. According to the same source, two other teenagers were shot, one in a shoulder, the other in an ankle, and were treated by emergency services. The last two victims, also shot, but more lightly, presented themselves directly to the hospital.

What is the law enforcement system?

Calm returned to the scene of the tragedy around 11:30 p.m., thanks to reinforcements from the gendarmerie. During the night, the police then intervened at the same place, where an individual seemed to be held by around ten others. Extracted from the crowd, the latter was heard by the investigators. According to the Vienne prefecture, police reinforcements are expected on site today.

What is the reason for this shooting?

To explain the facts, Cyril Lacombe, public prosecutor of Poitiers, evokes “tensions between groups”. Linking the case to drug trafficking, the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau declared, on BFMTV, that “it started with a shooting at a restaurant and it ended with a brawl between rival gangs which engaged several hundred people.

A version contested by the mayor of Poitiers, Léonore Moncond'huy, who believes in a press release that the figures given by the minister are “well beyond the a priori reality of what happened”.

How does the political class react?

The latter deplores “a new episode of unacceptable violence for the neighborhood”. She calls for “everyone’s responsibility to maintain peace in the city” and welcomes “the reinforced presence of security forces”.

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Drug trafficking: Bruno Retailleau wants results “more lasting than spectacular”

This shooting “is symptomatic of the gangrene resulting from the expansion of drug trafficking” reacted Sacha Houlié on

Finally, Bruno Retailleau estimated that we were “at a tipping point” in terms of drug trafficking. He must go this Friday to Rennes where a five-year-old child is between life and death after being shot in the head last Saturday as part of a settling of scores linked to drug trafficking.