Yesterday, Nice was once again the victim of a terrorist attack that brought back many bad memories. Here’s a recap of the events.
It was 8:30 am when a young Tunisian man, aged 21, broke into the Notre Dame Basilica in Nice, located on the city’s main commercial artery, Avenue Jean Médecin. For just under thirty minutes, the attacker targeted several parishioners, two women and a man. The latter was none other than the sacristan of the basilica, Vincent Loquès, who would have celebrated his 55th birthday today.
Thoughts are with Vincent Loquès, sacristan of the Notre Dame Basilica in Nice, cowardly murdered by an Islamist terrorist.
He was extremely devoted to his church; I am thinking of his family, his loved ones, and the entire Catholic community. pic.twitter.com/saBjEc1WDj
— Eric Ciotti (@ECiotti) October 29, 2020
One of the victims was found near the main entrance with fatal wounds to the throat suggestive of a slashing. The last victim died a few minutes after managing to escape the basilica and reaching a nearby bar for refuge. The parishioners were killed with a bladed weapon, a knife. The suspect, severely injured by the lifesaving intervention of the municipal police officers, was transported to the hospital. According to the magistrate, his condition remains critical. The alert was raised thanks to the activation of a municipal emergency call station located near the basilica. For several long minutes, bomb disposal teams conducted the detonation of several objects deemed suspicious.
The national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office was involved, and an investigation was opened for murder in relation to a terrorist enterprise, attempted murder in relation to a terrorist enterprise, and criminal terrorist conspiracy. In the afternoon, Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that the Vigipirate plan was raised to the “attack emergency” level.
Around 2 pm, the President of the Republic, accompanied by the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, and the Minister of Justice, Eric Dupont Moretti, visited the site. Emmanuel Macron reminded “that no spirit of terror should be given into.” At the same time, he announced the mobilization of military forces to protect our places of worship and schools.
