Death of Thomas in Crépol: “Tension still as strong” and “revived with the murder of Nicolas”, testifies the mayor of Romans-sur-Isère

His death, almost a year ago, marked France… Thomas, 16, was killed during a village ball in Crépol, in Drôme, on November 19, 2023. Between strong emotion and societal debates, the The death of this young rugby player sparked controversy but also violence in Romans-sur-Isère, a neighboring town where some suspects come from. At the franceinfo microphone, Marie-Hélène Thoraval, the city's LR mayor, described a context that remains as deleterious as ever: “The tension is still as high, the wounds are fully open.”

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Thomas' death remains “in people's minds daily”, like “a weight”, according to the councilor. Especially since the author of the stabbing has not been formally identified. 14 people, including 3 minors, were indicted for “intentional homicide and attempted intentional homicide by an organized gang” but all formally deny having carried out the stabbings.

A tension “rekindled by the death of Nicolas in Ardèche

Another element: the “tension” was “rekindled with the murder of Nicolas”, specified Marie-Hélène Thoraval. Aged 22, a member of the same rugby club as Thomas and originally from Romans-sur-Isère, he was shot dead in front of an Ardèche nightclub at the beginning of November. His death would be the result of an “act of intimidation” which went wrong, according to the alleged shooter, who admitted the facts. The alleged shooter, a 19-year-old Italian, and the driver, a 23-year-old man who brought him in front of the Seven, the nightclub where this tragedy took place on November 1 in Saint-Péray (Ardèche), both was indicted for murder and attempted murder by an organized gang and placed in pre-trial detention.

Gathering of an ultra-right collective in Romans-sur-Isère

According to our colleagues, the ultra-right collective “Justice for Ours” declared that it was holding a rally in tribute to young Thomas on November 30 in Romans-sur-Isère. “I am in close contact with the Prefect on this subject and the provisions are studied on a day-to-day basis and decisions will be taken” regarding a possible ban, commented Marie-Hélène Thoraval.