The inhabitants of La Chapelle-sur-Erdre “stunned” after “long moments of anguish”



A street blocked off after the knife attack in La Chapelle sur Erdre, May 28, 2021 – J. Urbach / 20 Minutes

  • In La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, a policewoman was injured this Friday morning by a man who stole his weapon.
  • The inhabitants of this city of a little less than 20,000 souls, who had to stay at home until the assailant was found, lived a very “scary” day.
  • The Chaplains, moved, are also worried about the state of health of the policewoman, known to all.

In La Chapelle-sur-Erdre

The sound of sirens and helicopters finally subsided. In La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, a small town of 20,000 souls located north of Nantes, the inhabitants finally dare to leave their homes. At the end of the sunny day, some take the opportunity to have a drink on the terrace or do some shopping, before the shops close. “My daughter called me to tell me that we were allowed to go downstairs,” says Christine, an octogenarian crossed around 6 pm on the church square. It was already she who informed me that a dangerous man was wanted and that we should not move. It’s terrible what happened. “

This Friday, even if many inhabitants of this “rather quiet little town” have “still struggled to realize”, a municipal police officer was indeed attacked with a knife by a man, resident of the town, who stole from her his weapon before running away. Enora and Marie, clothes sellers, understood that something serious had just happened when they saw “dozens and dozens” of police (250 in total) including the GIGN, pass in front of the shop in the morning. “The gendarmes then gave us the order to close, and there the anxiety rose,” tell the two young women. Just walking to the car didn’t feel good at all. Even now, we’re still stunned by what happened. “

“A woman we meet every day”

Clotilde, 18, spent these “long moments of anguish” almost in the dark. The student, alone at the family home, immediately closed all the blinds and the keyed door. “I turned on the TV and there was written” La Chapelle-sur-Erdre “everywhere, reports the young woman. Frankly, I didn’t believe it, I was very scared. »Mélanie, she feels rather relieved after having recovered her 8 year old daughter. Like all children attending school in the town, the little one was confined to her classroom, even for lunch, until the assailant, who finally died, was found a few hours later. “The children were well taken care of, observes the mother of the family. My daughter is very sensitive and she could be reassured. I just explained everything to her, but she is still very worried, especially about the state of health of the policewoman. “

It must be said that at La Chapelle, everyone knows the victim, a woman in her forties described as “tall and athletic”. This policewoman, the only woman of the small team of four agents, would fortunately no longer be in danger after having been injured in the legs, indicated the Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin, during a press point organized on the spot. The mayor of La Chapelle-sur-Erdre (PS), Fabrice Roussel, meanwhile, praised the “courage” of the victim, who defended himself against his attacker. “We wish him a good recovery, slips with emotion Séverine, a 39-year-old Chaplain. She is a woman that we meet every day, in front of schools, and who is always pleasant and smiling. We hope to see her again very soon. “



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