Death of Nicolas in Saint-Péray: loved ones and anonymous people united in pain during a white march in Romans-sur-Isère

Environ 2500 participants gathered for a white march in tribute to Nicolas early Wednesday afternoon at Place Pailheret in Romans-sur-Isère (Drôme), near the home of the victim's family. The gathering was organized by the town of Romans and the Rugby Club Romanais Péageois (RCRP) at the request of the victim's family. Nicolas, 22, died after being shot in the head on the sidelines of a shooting on the night of Thursday October 31 to November 1. The young man was licensed at the RCRP.

Silence, blue and white

Lots of emotion, footsteps, serious faces, the procession remained silent, composed of Nicolas's family, friends and relatives, including some rugby players who wore the jerseys of their respective clubs. Young people wore t-shirts with the inscription “Nico forever in our hearts”, with a blue heart, blue and white being the colors of the Rugby Club Romanais Péageois. Some people walked with white roses in their hands. At the head of the procession, an imposing banner showing two faces: that of Nicolas on one side and that of Thomas, killed in Crépol a year ago, on the other.

“We are a family”

The procession and the family stopped briefly in front of the Marcel-Guillermoz stadium, the stadium where Nicolas played. The march then resumed towards the Donnadieu stadium in a still heavy silence. This is the moment that Nicolas's rugby friends chose to hug Nicolas's loved ones and family. A release of blue and white balloons was then performed, still in silence, then we heard some applause. After a last hug between friends or family, rugby players shouted together “We are a family” Then “1,2,3 Nico”before returning to the locker room at the Donnadieu stadium in Romans.

“We were already there last year for Thomas”

This gathering echoes another white march: the one who paid tribute to Thomas, killed at the age of 16 in Crépolstill in Drôme. It brought together 6,000 people on November 22, 2023. The teenager was also a member of the Rugby Club Romanais Péageois (RCRP).

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In the procession, few participants had the energy to say a few words. Nevertheless, Hugo recognized that it was important “to be there to support the family, despite the difficult time”. Hugo plays in the world of rugby, president of the VRDR supporters association, but did not know Nicolas personally. “We are a family, rugby is a family” he explains. “We were already there last year for Thomas, we have the impression that we are living exactly the same day within a year. We wonder when it will stop. (…) We saw a communion between the players who knew Nicolas better. These are beautiful moments. We would prefer to experience them during a match than during a white march.