man shoots his wife to death in front of city court before committing suicide

A man fatally shot his wife in front of the Montpellier judicial court (Hérault), Tuesday February 20, before committing suicide, France Télévisions learned from police and judicial sources. He was to appear for domestic violence, according to information from France Bleu Hérault. “The final report shows two deaths”commented the prefecture on the social network

An intervention by the police is underway after shots fired in front of the judicial court of #Montpellier #Hérault .
The final report shows 2 deaths.
The event is over.
The area is secured by police officers from DIPN 34. The prefect is on site. A… pic.twitter.com/1pfEikWExz

— Prefect of Hérault 🇫🇷 (@Prefet34) February 20, 2024

The court has been evacuated and law enforcement is currently on site. “The area is secure”specifies the prefecture of Hérault on X, and “the event” is now “finished”. “There are no more risks for Montpellier residents”, also commented the prefecture to franceinfo, specifying that the prefect was on site. The public prosecutor is due to provide more details during a press briefing a little later in the afternoon.

Horrified by the femicide which took place in front of the Montpellier court this afternoon.

My thoughts are with the victim and his loved ones.

All my support to the court staff. The psychological support unit is triggered.

The prosecutor will speak from 4 p.m. https://t.co/MGpGKd0HrR

— Eric Dupond-Moretti (@E_DupondM) February 20, 2024

The Minister of Justice, Eric Dupond-Moretti, said “horrified by [ce] feminicide” and addressed his thoughts “to the victim and his loved ones”. He also expressed his support for the court staff, specifying that a “psychological support unit had been triggered”.