3 shot dead by neighbour at village birthday party in central France

Police are investigating the motive behind a shooting that left three people dead, and four others injured, in a remote village in central France on Saturday (July 13). 

The shootings happened at a party to celebrate a 20th birthday that was being held at a house near a firework display organised by the mairie in the village of Espinasse-Vozelle in Allier.

A 57-year old neighbour – who had not been invited to the party –  allegedly walked down a path between his house and the home where the party was taking place, opening fire at revellers with a pellet gun.

Other reports say that the disturbance originated when some young people at the party, and their fathers, went to the house of the neighbour, as they believed they could hear a person in distress inside. 

The 20-year-old celebrating his birthday, his father, and godfather were killed. Four other people were injured but their injuries are not life-threatening and they are currently in hospital in Vichy.

The shooter was found dead at the scene and authorities believe he turned a gun on himself. It is not thought that anyone at the party returned fire.

The shooter had multiple guns inside his property.

“It's a shock for everyone... We don't know what triggers someone to lose control and take action,” said the local mayor Michel Marien to France Bleu. 

Read more: ‘Incel’ man arrested on suspicion of planning mass murder in Bordeaux

Motives remains mystery 

The reasons behind the shooting are not clear.

“[The shooter] was a neighbour, yes, but a distant neighbour. Was there a relationship between them? Was there not? I don't know,” Mr Marien said. 

The shooter, who has not been named, was not known to the police before the incident, but was described by some neighbours as "isolated and anti-social."

The only blemish on his record was a failure to pay child support, claimed a source close to the investigation. 

He had previously served in the French air force, but had not experienced live combat, as he was a technician and not a soldier. He did, however, serve in Afghanistan, according to some reports.

There are reports that before the shooter opened fire on the party, he was aiming at cars on a nearby road, although this has not been officially confirmed.

Around 15 people who witnessed the event received psychological treatment at a temporary installation in the town hall. 

The shooting also happened at the same time as a festival in the village, which was hosting a fireworks display to celebrate July 14 national day.

The Allier department’s prefecture posted an alert about the shooter on social media sites, which helped keep residents away from the site.

People at the festival were kept in place until the situation had been resolved. 

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