The attack on a prison convoy in Normandy by a gang of armed, hooded individuals resulted in the release of one prisoner, the deaths of two guards, and injuries to three more. As reported by CNN, the French government launched a massive manhunt on Tuesday (local time).
According to French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti, the incident happened while a prisoner was being transported from court to a nearby prison. A black SUV that appeared to have crashed into a prison van next to a road toll booth was seen on camera. Two hooded people with long weapons were allegedly inside the vehicle.
According to CNN, these violent incidents are quite uncommon for the northern French region. Speaking to reporters, Dupond-Moretti said that two of the injured had life-threatening injuries and that this was the first French prison staff member to pass away while on the job since 1992.
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, denounced the incident and said X that “every effort is being made to find the perpetrators of this crime so that justice can be done in the name of the French people.”
Dupond-Moretti emphasised, “Everything, and I mean everything, will be done to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime,” as she restated her commitment to going after the criminals. For these folks, there is no meaning to life. They’re going to be taken into custody. They’re going to get a trial. And they will pay a price for the offence they did.”
The gunmen are still at large, according to a national police statement on X, which prompted a manhunt across the country to find the suspects and the escaped prisoner.
The national gendarmerie and “several hundred” police officers have been mobilised for the manhunt, according to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin’s announcement on X. A perimeter is being secured and roadblocks are being erected, according to a CNN report that cited BFMTV.
Mohamed Amra, the escaped prisoner, has a significant criminal history, according to Paris state prosecutor Laure Beccuau. He was found guilty of breaking and entering on May 10 by an Evreux court, and he has been behind bars since January 2022. In Marseille, he is also being investigated for a kidnapping that ended in death.
Later on Tuesday, French police reported the discovery of two burnt-out vehicles used by the attackers. The vehicles were found in Houtteville and Gauville-le-Campagne, near the Incarville tollbooth where the attack occurred. Forensic experts are conducting thorough examinations at the crime scene, and police are reviewing eyewitness videos posted on social media to gather more information. The prosecutor stressed that the primary focus is on understanding the motive behind this “outburst of violence,” as reported by CNN.