Man Fatally Shot in Van Carrying Migrants in France
A deceased man, identified as 47 years old, was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head inside a British-registered van that was found to be carrying ten illegal migrants at a French motorway rest stop.
A man was found shot dead in a British tradesman's van containing ten illegal migrants at a French motorway rest stop on Friday. The vehicle was discovered around 20 miles north of Troyes, south-east of Paris.
The body of the 47-year-old man was found at approximately 5 a.m. local time, according to the local prosecutor's office. He had sustained a gunshot wound to the head. The van bore UK license plates, but the driver's nationality remained undetermined.
The rest stop is approximately 200 miles from the Channel crossing.
Authorities found around ten illegal migrants in the rear of the van. Their nationalities were not immediately confirmed. The prosecutor's office stated that an initial investigation suggested that shots were fired at the Champ l'Epée rest stop as the British van pulled over to park.
Several individuals reportedly fled the scene following the incident. The Troyes prosecutor's office announced that a criminal case would be opened, encompassing charges of murder, attempted murder, unauthorized weapon possession, and aiding the irregular entry, movement, and residence of foreigners in France, as well as human trafficking, all within the context of an organized group.
A suspect, believed to have been present at the crime scene, was arrested early Friday.