A 20-year-old soldier died after being hit Wednesday night by an accidental shot at the palace of the military governor of Metz, the Ministry of the Armed Forces announced on Thursday. The first-class gunner "was preparing to conduct a patrol when he was seriously injured in the head by an accidental shot," according to a press release issued by the ministry. Evacuated to Nancy hospital, he died from his injuries.
The alleged perpetrator, a 21-year-old soldier, was taken into police custody on Wednesday evening. The judicial police were seized and a judicial information should be opened Friday, "a priori for manslaughter", indicated the assistant prosecutor of Metz, Thomas Bernard.
"Weapon handling error"
The facts took place in the immediate vicinity of the guard post of the palace of the military governor, according to Thomas Bernard. "The track of an accident probably due to an error in the handling of a weapon is privileged," had explained shortly after the facts a source close to the investigation. The weapon at the origin of the shooting, a Famas, assault rifle used by the French army, will have to be appraised.
Reservist in the 40th artillery regiment in Suippes, in the Marne, the deceased young man was "engaged with his group for the protection of the palace of the military governor of Metz since June 18, 2020", specifies the ministry, paying homage to his " great human and intellectual qualities ". "He died in the accomplishment of his mission," concludes the statement.