On January 24, 14-year-old Elias was fatally attacked by local teens Joe and Lucien after they attempted to rob him and his friend Simon with a machete. Elias refused to hand over his phone, leading to a tragic confrontation where he was struck in the aorta. Despite efforts to save him, he died the next day. Both assailants, known for previous crimes, were arrested soon after, with Joe realizing the severity of his actions upon his capture.
The Tragic Events Leading to Elias’s Death
Before the heartbreaking murder of young Louise on February 7, the city of Paris faced another devastating incident. On January 24, the 14th arrondissement became a scene of horror when 14-year-old Elias left the Jules-Noël stadium alongside his best friend, Simon. As they made their way home, they encountered Joe and Lucien (names changed for privacy), two local teens notorious for their involvement in racketeering and petty crimes. Utilizing intimidation tactics, they would often threaten their victims with knives to force them into surrendering money and personal items. However, this time, the situation escalated tragically.
A Fatal Encounter
Elias fell victim to a brutal attack, being struck down with a machete while Simon looked on helplessly. Joe and Lucien, both aged 16 and 17, had a history of similar offenses and were known to law enforcement. Their gang, comprised of five to six teens, frequently engaged in extortion, with Joe admitting to taking part in “one to two cases a week.” Lucien’s background was equally troubling, as he had accumulated multiple offenses related to petty crime.
In October, both teenagers had been arrested for “robbery with violence” and placed under judicial supervision, with their trial set for June. Unfortunately, this did little to deter their criminal behavior. Armed with a machete he had dubbed “Zombie,” Joe recounted how they began “hunting” for victims. They lingered at the edge of a field, waiting for an opportunity, which came when Elias and Simon exited from their football training. In an attempt to intimidate them, Joe brandished his machete, causing Simon to flee in fear. Unable to leave his friend behind, Elias faced the assailants alone.
Joe demanded Elias’s phone, but the young footballer refused to comply. As tension escalated, Joe placed the blade against Elias’s shoulder. A sudden movement between Lucien and Elias prompted Joe to strike, resulting in a devastating blow. Elias collapsed, hit in the aorta, while the stunned assailants fled the scene, leaving behind a tragic aftermath that would haunt them forever.
As Joe returned home, he was in shock, filming the police activity from his window and sending the footage to Lucien via Snapchat, not fully grasping the severity of what had just occurred. Meanwhile, Simon tried desperately to assist Elias, but it was too late. Despite being rushed to Necker Hospital, Elias succumbed to his injuries the following day. Both assailants were soon apprehended, with Joe finally realizing the gravity of his actions as he was taken into custody.