Overview
- The 35-year-old suspect allegedly drove for about 35 minutes across Dolus-d'Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d'Oléron, striking five people; two remain seriously injured but their lives are not currently in danger.
- Prosecutor Arnaud Laraize will open a judicial investigation and seek the suspect’s indictment for attempted assassinations, citing premeditation and seven intended targets.
- France’s anti-terror prosecutor declined to take jurisdiction, citing no established links to terrorist organizations or propaganda, but will keep the case under observation.
- In custody, the suspect said he had recently converted on his own via social media and claimed he was following the “orders of Allah,” after shouting “Allah Akbar” at arrest; he reported no outside assistance.
- Investigators found a gas canister and a 35 cm knife in the car as the suspect tried to set it on fire; a psychiatric evaluation noted impaired, not abolished, discernment and cannabis use, and the suspect is to be presented to a judge on Friday.