crime
Trial against “hiring manager killer” begins
A 48-year-old man is on trial in Valence, southern France, who is said to have shot dead two HR managers and an employment agency worker. photo
© Michael Evers/dpa
Apparently an engineer in France cannot cope with several layoffs. Many years later there is bloody revenge, an employee of a German company is also shot.
In Valence, southern France, the trial of a 48-year-old man who is said to have shot two HR managers and an employment office worker began on Tuesday. In addition, the unemployed engineer from Lorraine is said to have tried to shoot another HR manager. The indictment charges the man with three counts of murder and attempted murder.
At the start of the trial, the indictment with shocking details of the bloody crimes was first read out. The sports shooter shot his victims at close range with some shots in the upper body and head. The accused, who followed the trial with an alert eye, was initially only briefly asked about his personal details.
The man, who is described by the French media as a “hiring manager killer”, had so far remained silent about his motive. However, the indictment made it clear that he wanted revenge on those he held responsible for his failed professional life. Three of the four victims were involved in layoffs that affected the man several years ago. In notes found in his cell while he was being held in custody, the accused spoke of “delayed self-defense” and said he was afraid he had to change sides.
The crimes took place in January 2021 within three days in Alsace and southern France. The victims also included the head of HR at the French branch of the Franconian building materials manufacturer Knauf in Wolfgantzen, Alsace, Estelle L. The 39-year-old mother of two nine- and eleven-year-old girls was about to drive home when the shooter caught her in the company car park. “I’m leaving,” was the last cell phone message to her daughter.