Nicolas, 22, was “an adorable son and lover”

Fates tragically linked. A year after the death of Thomas, 16, at a village festival in Crépol, another young person from Romans-sur-Isère died in tragic circumstances. Nicolas, 22, was the victim of a shooting in front of the nightclub in Saint-Péray, in Ardèche, on the night of Thursday to Friday November 1 and succumbed to his injuries on Saturday November 2.

Like Thomas, Nicolas was licensed to the Rugby Club Romans-Péage (RCRP), which paid tribute to its young player in a poignant message. “The club has been hit in the heart again since Thursday evening. Nicolas, Kolbe, Nico, the princess and many other nicknames have just left us in terrible circumstances. We are once again devastated and send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” we can read on Facebook.

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In front of the Donnadieu stadium, a photo of Nicolas was placed and dozens of friends flocked throughout the weekend to leave candles and little notes in memory of their friend.

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“He will leave a big void…”

In “Dauphiné Libéré”, Nicolas’ mother, Gwladys, describes him as a young man “full of life, very loved by his friends, someone without problems. An adorable and loving son! » “He had the rugby spirit anchored in him. It was his second family,” she assures, insisting that her son was “non-violent”. “He was so helpful and always attentive to others…” she insists. “But that’s all over now. We'll have to live without him. He's going to leave a big void… I can't believe it,” cries this mother, assuring that Nicolas sent her “little messages that always ended with a 'Kisses, mom, I love you'”.

The US Rhône XV Rugby club, through which Nicolas spent time, described him on Facebook as “a generous and committed soul” who brought his club to life, a “passionate” player with “values ​​of camaraderie”. “May the memory of Nicolas continue to shine and warm the hearts of those who knew him, and may it bring the strength necessary to get through this ordeal,” writes, for his part, Jean-Thomas Poletti, president of the Committee Rugby Drôme.

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“An entire city devastated by this new tragedy, the consequence of a barbaric, gratuitous and totally senseless act,” the mayor of Romans-sur-Isère, Marie-Hélène Thoraval, posted on X.

An open investigation

Nicolas was in front of a nightclub, the Seven, where more than 800 young people were gathered for the Halloween evening, with rugby friends, when, around 3 a.m., a man dressed all in black and hooded opened fire in his direction, seriously hitting him in the head and causing two other victims, a young woman hit in the leg and one of the nightclub bouncers. An investigation was opened by the Privas public prosecutor's office, but no arrests have yet been made. This shooting could be linked to drug trafficking. Among young people, calls for “justice” are increasing.