The murder of Daniel Becquet, which occurred in a busy place, shocked local residents and sparked numerous reactions on social networks.
A drama in the middle of the evening, on a busy path
Sunday, shortly after 6 p.m., Daniel Becquet, a 58-year-old from Marcquois, was walking a friend's dog near the Canal de la Marque, not far from the Burger King parking lots and the Centrakor store. This place, appreciated for its tranquility and its regular attendance by joggers and walkers, was the scene of a brutal murder. Daniel received a stab wound to the chest, which was fatal. A suspect, a homeless migrant named Mohamed Akouchtah, was quickly arrested. The latter allegedly took the weapon from a nearby supermarket before committing his act. For the moment, the motive for the crime remains unknown.
The next morning, the towpath returns to its usual calm. Many regular users, walkers and cyclists, were not yet informed of the tragedy. “We often come to walk here, it’s always very quiet,” confides a resident of the neighborhood, still stunned. If this place is considered safe, some local residents point out that the area under the Rue Nationale bridge is a place of passage for homeless people.
Contrasting opinions on the security of the place
While the walkers encountered at the scene of the tragedy expressed to our colleagues a feeling of security, comments on social networks paint a more worrying picture. The local page “T’es vérité marcquois si” was flooded with testimonies evoking the presence of squats and gatherings of people which would create a climate of insecurity. A local resident says: “There are always groups under the bridge, drinking and squatting. My wife was once hassled at the bottom of our building. »
The investigation is in the hands of the criminal brigade of the local judicial police service of Lille. For the moment, no information has been communicated as to the reasons for the action of the suspect, who remains in police custody. Police are trying to establish the exact circumstances of the attack and whether the attacker is associated with the homeless groups mentioned by some residents.
Daniel Becquet, “the star” of local taverns
The death of Daniel Becquet caused great excitement, particularly in the taverns of the region where he was a well-known figure. Active on the dance floors, Daniel was appreciated for his joie de vivre and his generosity. The Marquette-Saint-André tavern paid him a vibrant tribute on social networks: “We have lost more than a customer, we have lost the ray of sunshine on the dance floor. This summer, you've probably seen Daniel dancing with this contagious energy, always with a smile on his face. » For many, he was the “star” of the tavern, a joyful and caring presence who will remain engraved in memories.
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