World
Man arrested after confessing to five murders in less than two hours as French police probe motive
Investigators arrive at a Gendarmerie Police station as French Gendarmes stand next to a vehicle (right) said to be that of the alleged killer, who reportedly turned himself in at the police station, in Ghyvelde, northern France December 14, 2024. Five people were killed on December 14, 2024 in northern France, according to the French Gendarmerie, to which a person surrendered to the authorities at the end of the day, indicating that he committed the murders. — AFP pic

LILLE, Dec 15 — A man who turned himself in saying he was responsible for five murders in northern France had no criminal record, authorities said today.

The 22-year-old suspect was taken into custody yesterday after surrendering at a police station in Ghyvelde just outside the Channel port city of Dunkirk around 5.20pm (1620 GMT/12.30am Malaysian time) yesterday afternoon — two hours after the first killing.

Advertising
Advertising

He is "unknown to the police service and judicial authorities,” Dunkirk’s chief prosecutor Charlotte Huet said in a statement.

A charge of murder combined with other crimes and possession of restricted firearms — five of which were found in the suspect’s car — carries a maximum sentence of life in jail.

"Many inquiries are underway,” prosecutor Huet said, especially "to clarify the reasons that led the suspect to commit these crimes”.

A source familiar with the case said police are investigating whether the man had a professional falling-out with the companies where the first three victims worked.

All five murders were committed within less than two hours in the Dunkirk area.

French CRS Police (Republican Security Companies) block off a road near a migrant camp where two security guards and two migrants were shot dead, near Dunkirk, northern France, on December 14, 2024. — AFP pic

A first 29-year-old man was killed with several gunshots outside his house in Wormhout, a village just south of the city, prosecutors said.

The local town hall hailed the man as a local business owner who ran a trucking company.

Then at around 4pm, two security guards aged 33 and 37 were killed as they patrolled an industrial zone adjacent to the port in Loon-Plage, just west of Dunkirk.

Tributes were posted on Facebook to the two men, known locally for working as bouncers at carnival events.

Minutes later, still on the outskirts of Loon-Plage, two final victims believed to be Iranians aged 19 and 30 were shot dead.

Local police and the prefecture said the men were living in a local camp for migrants.

Many migrants hoping to reach Britain make their way to northern France before attempting perilous Channel crossings in small inflatable boats. — AFP

Related Articles

 

You May Also Like