More than 300 people gathered at Place Masséna in Nice this Wednesday afternoon to pay tribute to Rayan, 20, and Oyskhur Tapashev, 58, who were killed in the shooting in the Moulins district, as well as the five others who were injured. It was a moment of emotion and solidarity marked by calls for peace and unity.
Place Masséna was covered in white at 2 PM this Wednesday. In response to the call of the Union of Chechens of France, over 300 people gathered to honor the memory of Rayan, a young 20-year-old from Nice, and Oyskhur Tapashev, a father of three children, who was killed four days before his 59th birthday. Both lost their lives during the shooting that occurred in Moulins on October 3rd.
White t-shirts bore the inscription “For our little brother gone too soon,” while signs demanded justice and peace. Some messages openly spoke of “terrorism” and “attack,” terms echoed in the speeches of the officials present.
United in Pain and Solidarity
The rally’s slogan was unity. Magamadov Ramzan, imam and president of the association of Chechens and Ingushes in the Alpes-Maritimes, delivered a message that was both powerful and calming, stating, “With a speech in French and Russian, we hope to convey our message of peace and unity to the greatest number.”
Islam Aliev, the president of the Union of Chechens of France, paid tribute to the victims while calling for cohesion. “We gather today to mourn the loss of our own, victims of narco-trafficking violence, but also to celebrate the solidarity that binds us. Our city of Nice is a symbol of diversity and peaceful coexistence. Together, we must stand against crime and hatred.”
Strong Words from Christian Estrosi
The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, also spoke, delivering a speech filled with support and firmness. He expressed his condolences to the families while denouncing what he described as a “scene of war.”
“These people were victims of what I call narco-terrorism. These are not simple traffics; these are networks from outside, armed, spreading fear and ruin.”
The mayor called for a lasting reinforcement of security measures. “I am asking the Sentinelle force to be present not for three days, nor eight, but all the time until peace is restored. What happened at Place Amaryllis is an act of war that warrants our military protecting our citizens as on the Promenade des Anglais.”
Christian Estrosi also emphasized the family of Rayan’s involvement in community life. “This family has been helping associations for disabled and disadvantaged people for years. The barbarians behind all this will be punished, and I hope they end their lives behind bars.”
Marked Forever by the Loss
Rayan’s sister, very emotional, could not hold back her tears when she spoke on behalf of her family. “My little brother went out to buy food and found himself in the middle of this shooting. This act has destroyed my family. Rayan was not known to the police, he was a good person. He was only 20 years old.”
Her voice broke as she appealed to justice, “I hope you find the murderers and that they pay dearly for what they have done.”
The pain and power of these testimonies moved the participants, some of whom were in tears.
Sport as a Shield Against Violence
A judo and sambo instructor, close to the neighborhood, also spoke to remind everyone of the essential role of education and sport, “Martial arts teach respect, discipline, and solidarity. Every hour spent in a dojo is one less hour on the street. We need resources to offer young people other perspectives.”
He called for strong collaboration between the city, its mayor, educators, associations, and residents to “give the youth of the Moulins another future.”
Between Emotion and Questions
While the ceremony proceeded with calm and dignity, several witnesses of the tragedy expressed their frustration to the mayor about the ongoing investigation. Some claim they have never been asked to testify, lamenting a lack of listening from authorities. Others see the mayor’s presence as more political than human, with municipal elections a few months away in 2026.
Despite these criticisms, the gathering concluded with a minute of silence.
The shooting that occurred on Friday, October 3rd in the Moulins district took the lives of two people and injured five others. According to information from BFMTV Nice Côte d’Azur, two suspects have been arrested and will be presented to a judge this Wednesday as part of the investigation opened for voluntary homicides and criminal conspiracy.
