A tragic incident unfolded on July 9, 2018, when Rudy Bensimon, a 31-year-old merchant, was shot and killed after being ambushed by organized assailants posing as police officers. The attack, which took place on an A86 highway exit ramp, was meticulously planned, targeting Bensimon for approximately 100,000 euros cash he was carrying. As the trial approaches, the investigation reveals disturbing connections, including ties to Bensimon’s former associate, raising questions about betrayal within his inner circle.
The Shocking Murder of Rudy Bensimon: A Tragic Incident Unfolded
“I can’t get over the cold-bloodedness of the shooter. To shoot someone in the back while they are restrained by two others, the victim stood no chance. Sleep eludes me now…” These words, spoken by Jorge A. on July 12, 2018, reflect the deep trauma he experienced witnessing a horrific event just days prior. He recalls the victim’s desperate plea: ‘They are not cops! I am going to die. Help me. Call the police!’ The assailants were highly organized and meticulous, clearly taken aback by the victim’s fierce resistance, who fought bravely until the very end.
This harrowing scene is set to be the focal point of a three-week trial commencing on Monday, March 24, at the juvenile court in Paris. The case revolves around the murder of Rudy Bensimon, which occurred on July 9, 2018, on an exit ramp of the A86 highway in Aubervilliers (Seine-Saint-Denis). The 31-year-old merchant was shot twice in the femoral artery and tragically passed away, leaving behind three children.
Investigation Uncovers Disturbing Details
An extensive investigation led by the Brigade for the Suppression of Banditry (BRB) over the course of a year has managed to identify all alleged members of the gang responsible for this heinous crime. Among them, one individual was only 17 years old at the time of the incident. Although the hearing was originally set to be closed due to the minor’s status, it could potentially be opened to the public if the magistrates choose to do so.
The assailants had targeted Bensimon with precision, swiftly seizing his briefcase which contained approximately 100,000 euros in cash, collected from his company’s stand at the expo. Determined to protect his earnings, Bensimon valiantly defended himself against the five masked attackers. However, he was soon overwhelmed, beaten, and restrained. In a shocking act of violence, the assailant on the powerful motorcycle fired two shots into the thigh of the family man, who was turned away and pinned against his vehicle. Rudy succumbed to his injuries just one hour later, while the criminals fled with their loot.
The only lead captured on surveillance footage was the shooter, identifiable by his black sneakers with distinctive red soles.
As the investigation progressed, it became evident that Bensimon had been under surveillance by his future murderers for several days leading up to the attack. They had tracked his movements throughout the Paris region, and one of the suspected masterminds of the crime was identified as Bensimon’s former right-hand man, described in the investigation as his “friend and mentor.”
Law enforcement gradually closed in on a group of men in their twenties, primarily from Thiais in Val-de-Marne, many of whom had previous criminal records involving violent crimes and drug offenses. During interrogations, most of the suspects denied the allegations or attempted to downplay their involvement. The alleged shooter, whose black sneakers with red soles were found in a police search, claimed he had no connection to the case, insisting that the soles were merely orange.
The investigation faced numerous challenges, including threats among the accused, exerted pressure on relatives, and suspicions of collusion to maintain a code of silence. Five of the suspects were later sentenced to prison terms of up to five years by the Versailles court in April 2023 for kidnapping a 31-year-old man, who managed to escape. This incident occurred at the end of 2018, only months after Bensimon’s murder.
As the trial approaches, the attorney for several members of the Bensimon family, Daphné Pugliesi, expressed hope that the proceedings would reveal the truth behind the tragedy. “It feels as though the accused are toying with justice, while a life has been lost. The realization that the crime may have been orchestrated by someone close—who shared meals with Rudy and his family—continues to haunt them,” she remarked.