The event took place around 4:00 am Saturday in Evreux, a town in the Northern region of Normandy. According to The Daily Mail, prosecutors have opened an investigation into homicide and attempted homicide. They did, however, rule out any terror-related motives.
“Unfortunately, the toll is very heavy,” said Evreux public prosecutor Remi Coutin.
Coutin said the incident followed an “altercation” between a young woman and several men inside the bar. The security staff removed all patrons, after which “one person went to fetch a vehicle” and “deliberately reversed at high speed into the crowd outside the establishment.”
Two men, including the driver, and a woman were taken into custody. Prosecutors said further arrests are still possible. Two of the five individuals who were injured in the attack remain in critical condition. Photos of the scene showed blood stains on the road outside the bar.
Evreux mayor Guy Lefrand offered his “deepest sympathy and solidarity with the victims, their families and loved ones.” He added, “I commend the rapid response of the police and emergency services."
When police arrived at the scene, they found a chaotic crowd where many people were under the influence of alcohol, according to reports. Lefrand told broadcaster BFMTV the bar should have closed at 1 am and described the establishment as having a “bad reputation.”
La Winery, the establishment where the ramming took place, said in post on social media, “We're still in shock of what happened last night, and we think it's important to speak up regardless."
"First of all, our thoughts are with the victims as well as our condolences to the bereaved family. During the closure, in the street an altercation between several individuals began, some of them tried to calm the spirits, others of whom the driver of the car backed into the crowd. Wanting to rescue the person on the ground, Guillaume was hit by the vehicle,” the organization said.
