The prosecution announced on Sunday June 30 the opening of a judicial investigation into attempted intentional homicide on four Bac police officers in the streets of Nouméa in May.
A judicial investigation has been opened for attempted voluntary homicide of four BAC police officers in the streets of Noumea in May and two people have been imprisoned, the Noumea public prosecutor announced on Sunday June 30.
The incident occurred on May 16 in the Rivière Salée district of Noumea. Four BAC officers who were driving around looking for a vehicle that might have been involved in the looting of an armory were targeted by a man wearing a police bulletproof vest, who was among a group of individuals.
The latter fired a first shot at the police vehicle using a hunting rifle, injuring two police officers in the eyes.
“Very significant” psychological harm
The driver of the vehicle, despite his injury, then tried to free himself but entered a street blocked by a roadblock and the vehicle suffered a second shot, seriously injuring the third police officer in the thigh. The fourth police officer was not hit but suffered “very significant” psychological damage, according to the prosecutor.
Twelve people were arrested since June 26, including the alleged shooter, aged 26, who admitted the facts, and two others suspected of complicity. The man was charged on Saturday with attempted murder of a person in authority and placed in pre-trial detention.
His 23-year-old accomplice, suspected of inciting the shooter to act, was charged with complicity and also placed in custody. Both men face life imprisonment.
A third man, the shooter’s brother, suspected of having hidden the weapon, was charged with concealing evidence of a crime or offence and placed under judicial supervision.
