Five days after the shooting that left two dead and five injured in the Moulins district, in Nice-West, a gathering for reflection will be held this Wednesday, October 8. It will take place at Place Massรฉna at 2 PM. The gathering is called by the Union of Chechens of France to pay tribute to the victims.
This Wednesday at 2 PM, Place Massรฉna will host a silent gathering. A moment of communion instigated by the Union of Chechens of France. The association wishes to offer a moment of remembrance and support to those affected by the shooting that occurred on Friday evening in the Moulins district.
The residents, the relatives of the victims, and many people from Nice are expected for this time of reflection. The message is simple: remember, gather, reject violence.
On Friday, October 3, around 9:10 PM, several gunshots burst out at Place des Amaryllis, in the heart of Moulins. The attackers, arriving in a Peugeot 3008, opened fire near a drug dealing spot. Two people were killed instantly, five others injured. Among them, two teenagers. The prosecutor indicated that none are in life-threatening conditions.
The two deceased victims are a Chechen father born in 1966 and a young man born in Nice in 2005. According to the public prosecutor of Nice, Damien Martinelli, several of the injured have no connection to drug trafficking. The shots indiscriminately targeted the people present.
The investigation, opened for organized homicides and attempted homicides, has been entrusted to the interregional specialized jurisdiction (JIRS). At the scene, twenty-five 7.62 mm caliber casings and five 9 mm caliber casings were found. The suspect vehicle, stolen in Marseille, was discovered burned in Mougins during the night.
A shared emotion, a renewed debate
In the Moulins district, tension remains high. Residents speak of fear, fatigue, and a feeling of abandonment. This priority classed neighborhood has been marked for years by clashes related to drug trafficking.
However, the emotion goes beyond the neighborhood’s borders. The Chechen community, particularly affected, calls for solidarity and dignity.
Politically, reactions have multiplied. The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, has requested enhanced resources for the police and gendarmerie. He also mentioned the immigration issue, linking it to the rise of drug-related crime.
Meanwhile, the deputy Eric Ciotti denounced โa failing governmentโ and a city hall โpowerlessโ. He calls for systematic searches in sensitive areas and harsher penalties for drug use.
In response to these criticisms, the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, Laurent Hottiaux, defends the actions of the State. He reminds that 300 people from the Moulins and Ariane neighborhoods have been incarcerated since the beginning of the year as part of the fight against trafficking. He also insists on the need to act on living conditions and the dilapidation of social housing.
The prefect believes that the response cannot be solely security-based. He calls on landlords to take responsibility and highlights the difficulty of maintaining a lasting connection with residents.
Between pain and the need for justice
As the investigation continues, residents are waiting for answers. Who are the shooters? Why these victims? In the neighborhood, fear mixes with anger. Many fear new reprisals. Others demand more presence on the ground, more listening, and prevention.
The gathering planned at Place Massรฉna is intended as a gesture of peace. It will be marked by a minute of silence. Organizers urge everyone to come without flags or slogans, to stand together with the grieving families.
