A judicial investigation has been opened for attempted voluntary homicide of four police officers from the Anti-Crime Brigade (BAC) in the streets of Noumea in May and two people have been imprisoned, the Noumea public prosecutor announced on Sunday.
The events occurred on May 16 in the Rivière salée district of Nouméa. Four BAC officials who were driving around looking for a vehicle likely to be involved in the looting of an armory were targeted by a man wearing a police bulletproof vest, who found within a group of individuals.
The latter fired a first time at the police vehicle using a hunting rifle, injuring two police officers in the eyes.
The driver of the vehicle, despite his injury, then tried to free himself, but entered a street blocked by a roadblock and the vehicle was shot a second time, seriously injuring the third police officer in the thigh. The fourth police officer was not hit, but suffered “very significant” psychological harm, according to the prosecutor.
Twelve people were arrested from June 26, including the 26-year-old alleged shooter, 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 accomplice, aged 23, suspected of having incited the shooter to act, was indicted for complicity and also placed in detention. Both men face life imprisonment.
A third man, brother of the shooter, suspected of having hidden the weapon, was indicted for concealing evidence of a crime or offense and placed under judicial supervision.
