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At 6:14 p.m., this Sunday, November 17, 2024, an emergency call terminal is activated on Boulevard François-Grosso, in Nice. A man, armed with a firearm, was seen in the presence of a woman, in the private garage of a building, at number 23. A heated altercation appeared to be underway. Law enforcement patrols are alerted. Less than ten minutes later, a crew of eight municipal police officers, six men and two women, arrived on site, thinking they were dealing with a hostage situation. Half an hour later, they will be supported by their colleagues from the national police. In the meantime, they are alone in the face of danger, unbearable face to face with the obviously desperate armed man.
Stay lucid and negotiate
“At that moment, there is a lot of adrenaline, but you have to keep your cool, stay lucid”confided this Monday, November 18, 2024, the day after the intervention, team leader Kévin (who does not give his last name for security reasons). He continues: “By negotiating we managed to extract [la femme qui était aussi dans le garage]within firing range.” She will then be supported psychologically. As for the madman, he will experience a more tragic outcome, ending up taking his own life, despite the police’s attempts at dissuasion.
Did he really want to attack the woman who accompanied him? Some local residents refute this version, dismissing the possibility of a hostage-taking. “In reality, the lady wanted to stop the gentleman from shooting himself. She wanted to reason with him and he shouted to her: ‘Leave, leave, anyway, I’m going to kill myself!’swears the building’s concierge, who however did not witness the scene.
“He can shoot anyone.”
“In the heat of the moment, it is difficult to judge the intention of a gunman. At that moment, he can shoot anyone, at him, at the lady, at us. He represents a danger”refocuses team leader Kévin. An investigation was opened by the Nice public prosecutor’s office.
If the motivations of the armed man remain to be established, the outcome of the tragedy could have been even more tragic. “By controlling the exchanges and gestures as best as possible, the municipal police officers showed great dedication. Their composure undoubtedly saved a life,” warmly congratulates Christian Estrosi, in front of the media, following an interview with the crew, at the town hall. Before announcing that he had asked “ to the Minister of the Interior to award them the medal of honor for an act of courage and dedication”.
Alongside these praises, the elected official did not fail to repeat his desire to strengthen the municipal police, by increasing the workforce to 600 agents in 2025, with the creation of 50 positions.
1. As a professional website editor for world-today-news.com, I would like to discuss the recent events that occurred in Nice, France, specifically the emergency call activation at Boulevard François-Grosso regarding a man with a firearm. Can you please provide any more information about what transpired during the interaction between the municipal police officers and the armed man? What were some of the challenges faced by the police during this tense situation?
2. The report mentions that the woman present may have been trying to stop the armed man from taking his own life. Can you elaborate on this and discuss whether there were any indications of suicidal ideation prior to the incident? What role did she play in de-escalating the situation?
3. The local concierge has a different perspective on the events that unfolded. Can you share their account of what happened and how it contrasts with the police’s version of events? How did the police manage to keep the situation under control while dealing with conflicting information and potentially emotional witnesses?
4. The intervention of municipal police officers has garnered praise from local officials, including the mayor, who has called for increased support for these officers. How do you feel about the role of municipal police vs. national police in handling such situations? Do you think more resources should be allocated towards training and equipping municipal police forces to handle emergencies?
5. Lastly, there has been a discussion about increasing the number of municipal police officers in Nice to 600 by 2025. What are your thoughts on this initiative, and do you think it will have a significant impact on public safety in the city? Do you believe that increasing the number of officers will help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future?
