VILLEURBANNE, FRANCE – A violent altercation erupted on Saturday evening in the Grandclément district of Villeurbanne, leading to a shooting incident that left two men injured. One individual was deliberately shot in the legs, while a 22-year-old student, an innocent bystander, was hit by a stray bullet.
Details of the Altercation and Injuries
The incident occurred around 8:15 PM in front of the Post Office on Place Grandclément. According to initial reports, two men were involved in a heated dispute when one of them brandished a small-caliber pistol and fired at the other, targeting his legs. The victim, a 32-year-old man known to police and in an irregular situation, sustained injuries to his thighs and calves. He was treated by emergency services and released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon. He has since been questioned as part of the ongoing investigation, which has been assigned to the East Division of the DIPN (Interdepartmental Directorate of National Police) of the Rhône. The exact circumstances of the altercation remain unclear, though authorities do not currently believe it is linked to drug trafficking.
Bystander Injured by Stray Bullet
Tragically, the gunfire also impacted a 22-year-old student who was simply returning home and had no connection to the two individuals involved. He was struck by a stray bullet in the knee and required surgery. Christian Chevallier, the student’s father, expressed his dismay, noting that several people present at the scene began filming the incident rather than immediately assisting or calling for help. “My son took out his phone and called the firefighters himself. Afterwards, merchants came to help him, but at first, it was a bit surreal,” Chevallier told Le Progrès on Sunday evening. His son is expected to be unable to walk for at least three months, followed by a minimum of six months of physical therapy.
Search for the Suspect and Broader Context
The shooter fled the scene, reportedly on a scooter, and is actively being pursued by police. Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the municipality and nearby businesses to identify the perpetrator. This incident is not isolated; a month prior, on November 15, another man was shot on Rue de la Rize, near Place Grandclément. The 20-year-old victim in that case, also known to police, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Furthermore, on December 15, a man with a police record was shot in the calf on Rue Charrial in Lyon 3e, an incident potentially linked to a settling of scores.
Ongoing Efforts Against Crime in the Region
These events highlight ongoing challenges with crime in the region. On October 10, the Prefect of the Rhône, Fabienne Buccio, commended the police for their work in closing down the last drug dealing points in the Tonkin district of Villeurbanne, though she cautioned that the situation remains fragile. In early December, Villeurbanne Mayor Cédric Van Styvendael acknowledged in Le Progrès that further action was needed, particularly in Grandclément, where “there are still addresses on which to intervene.” The current investigation will aim to shed more light on the motivations behind this latest act of violence and bring the perpetrator to justice.
Source: https://www.leprogres.fr/faits-divers-justice/2025/12/21/coups-de-feu-a-villeurbanne-un-homme-atteint-aux-jambes-un-autre-blesse-par-une-balle-perdue
