What we know about the beating to death of a 23-year-old man in Grande-Synthe

The victim, beaten by at least three people, died of his injuries in hospital.

A 23-year-old man died Tuesday evening, after being violently attacked by at least three individuals in Grande-Synthe (North), the prosecution announced Wednesday April 17.

Two minors were taken into custody and an investigation was opened for “organized gang murder”. Franceinfo summarizes what we know about this affair.

A violent attack in a parking lot

Philippe, aged 23, died Tuesday evening after being beaten during the night from Monday to Tuesday in Grande-Synthe (North). According to the public prosecutor, his body was first discovered unconscious with “several traces of blows, particularly on the face”. His vital prognosis was in jeopardy when he was admitted to an intensive care unit at the hospital. The young man finally died “as a result of his injuries”.

As reported by France 3 Hauts-de-France and France Bleu Nord, at least three people are involved in the attack, perpetrated in the parking lot of a supermarket in the city center. Kelvyn, brother of the victim, told France 3 that his brother was “on the phone with [un] friend” at the time of the attack. “They beat him and left him for dead in a parking lot. They took his iPhone and tried to humiliate him by removing his clothes from his lower body.”testifies Kelvyn.

Two minors arrested and an investigation opened for “organized gang murder”

Two minors were taken into custody after the attack. The first, aged 14, was arrested Wednesday morning. His police custody was extended on Wednesday evening, specifies the prosecution. “A second arrest took place in the middle of the day”, added the prosecutor, specifying that the man arrested is a minor aged 15. The third suspect is still being sought by authorities.

An investigation was initially opened by the Dunkirk judicial court for “attempted intentional homicide by an organized gang”. It was finally reclassified Wednesday evening as “organized gang murder”.

The criminal brigade of the judicial police is responsible for the investigation. The hearings are continuing and an autopsy will be carried out in order to “determine with certainty the nature of the blows carried out and the possible use of weapons, use which is currently unconfirmed. Concerning the motive and the mode of operation, they remain to be clarified”said the prosecutor.

The victim’s family plunged into a “deep and infinite sadness”

Philippe’s relatives opened a pot on the Leetchi platform, which raised more than 20,000 euros on Thursday morning. “He worked in a socio-educational center. He was honest, generous, full of life, always smiling and ready to help othersdescribes his family in a text. His sudden and unexpected departure left a family inconsolable and devastated.“. The money raised will be used to “offer Philippe a respectful farewell and bring comfort to his family, in particular his mother and brothers”it is written.

In a video posted Tuesday on Facebook, the mayor of Grande-Synthe, Martial Beyaert, expressed “his moved thoughts for the victim, his family, his loved ones and his friends”. At a press conference the next day, he also condemned the political exploitation of this affair, evoking “the abuses of the fascist on social networks” and recalled that “Grande-Synthe is not a lawless zone”.

The elected official also received the victim’s two brothers. With their agreement, a white march is organized on Friday at 11 a.m., leaving from the Noordover high school in Dunkirk where Philippe had been educated. Psychological help is also made available to loved ones.