Lyon, May 7 – Two individuals have been arrested and a police officer injured following a dramatic police chase and exchange of gunfire that began on Avenue Jean-Jaurès in Lyon on Thursday evening. A third suspect involved in the incident remains at large.
Police Pursuit Escalates to Gunfire
The incident began around 5:45 PM on Thursday, May 7, when a vehicle refused to comply with police orders on Avenue Jean-Jaurès in Lyon. A pursuit ensued, lasting nearly 30 minutes. According to information from BFM Lyon, at least one occupant of the vehicle fired shots in the direction of the police officers.
The chase concluded in Montluel, in the Ain department, several tens of kilometers from Lyon, where the vehicle was finally stopped. Police sources confirmed that officers returned fire during the confrontation.
Two Suspects Apprehended, Officer Wounded
Two men were apprehended at the scene. However, a third individual involved in the incident managed to evade capture and was still at large as of Thursday night. During the arrests, a police officer sustained injuries. The nature of the officer’s injuries has not yet been disclosed.
Union Reactions and Calls for Stronger State Action
Police unions have reacted strongly to the incident. The Alliance Police Nationale Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes union issued a statement questioning, “After colleagues deliberately hit, threatened with death, or attacked during interventions, how many more incidents will it take before a strong reaction from the State?” The union emphasized, “Police officers no longer expect speeches. They expect action.”
Similarly, the Unité 69 union condemned the event as an “attempted murder.” In a Facebook post, they stated, “Today, Lyon police officers are confronted with individuals willing to kill to escape a simple check.”
Prefecture Monitoring the Situation
Contacted by BFM Lyon, the Rhône prefecture confirmed that it is “attentively following the progress of the operations and the arrests.” Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the refusal to comply, the exchange of gunfire, and the search for the third suspect are ongoing.
This incident highlights the growing concerns among law enforcement regarding the increasing violence faced by police officers during their duties in the region.
