The inhabitants of Chapelle-sur-Erdre deposited cards and flowers on Saturday in front of the premises where a municipal policewoman was assaulted the day before.

"When I knew that it had happened here, it was obvious to come and say thank you", explains a Parisian who came for the weekend in the area.

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"Force to you, Katel", can we read on a message hanging on the tree in front of the entrance to the municipal police.

In La Chapelle-sur-Erdre, residents deposited cards and flowers on Saturday in front of the premises where a municipal policewoman was assaulted the day before.

Many salute his gentleness, his commitment and his professionalism.

This Parisian took advantage of a weekend with relatives to drop a bouquet of flowers.

"When I knew that it had happened here, it was obvious to come and say thank you", he breathes at the microphone of Europe 1.

"The inhabitants experienced a shock"

Katell Lereec, 47, was attacked with a knife by a schizophrenic on file for radicalization, who died Friday during his arrest.

"I'm still very upset," said Inès, 77, used to meeting the policewoman.

The mayor of the town spent the day of Saturday in contact with the inhabitants.

"The inhabitants have experienced a shock, they need to be accompanied. We are not used to this kind of event. They need to get together," he explains. 

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Frédérique came to drop a bouquet.

"We are very touched for her, and then for the little girl who was kidnapped (...) so we wanted to say that we were there with them," says Frédérique, referring to the person who was kidnapped for 2:30 the day before by the suspect during his run.

Two children and their father came from Carquefou, about ten kilometers away.

They came to show their support for the policewoman.

"It seemed obvious to us to bring the children. It affects us all, it must not be a forgotten act."

Psychological cells for witnesses of the assault

For his part, the mayor indicates that he will be attentive to the psychological follow-up of the students, as well as of the seven people who witnessed the assault.

"We are offering psychological cells for witnesses to the assault. And from Monday there will be psychologists in schools."

Friday, the students of the town had been confined for several hours. 

Investigations also continued on Saturday, especially at the scene of the shooting where the attacker was neutralized.

The day before, Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennès had indicated that the investigation was likely to be entrusted to the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office depending on the result of the ongoing investigations.