It is still in shock, and while certain aspects of the affair still remain unclear, that a white march was organized this Friday morning in Grande-Synthe. A march to pay tribute to Philippe, 22, violently attacked in the middle of the night after a potential ambush via a dating site.
More than a thousand people set out, banners held out. “Tribute to Philippe”, we can read on a large banner at the head of the procession, which set off from his former high school at 11 a.m., in the presence of the victim’s two brothers, Dylan and Kelvyn. Several people, many in white outfits, held photos of the victim.
“A shock for everyone”
Philippe was “a great friend, kind, attentive, he was there for everyone,” says Valentine, 26, a childhood friend, in the crowd. “We were in the same jiu-jitsu club. I met him last year and it was a crush, he was friendly, smiling… It’s a shock for everyone,” says Louna, 42 years old.
As a reminder, shortly after his fatal attack on the night of Monday to Tuesday, two minors aged 14 and 15 were arrested. They were still in police custody Thursday evening and must be “presented to an investigating judge” this Friday as well, said Dunkirk public prosecutor Charlotte Huet in a press release.
“We are talking about a man who was (…) truly and clearly tortured, who was on the ground and who was finished off by blows,” commented the Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, Thursday evening on BFMTV, referring to an act of ” barbarity “. The prosecutor is due to give a press conference in Dunkirk at 5 p.m. Friday.