A motorist deliberately drove his car into a group of pedestrians near the train station in Caen, Normandy, on Wednesday evening, killing two people and injuring nine others before fleeing the scene. The suspect, a 26-year-old Russian national of Chechen origin, was arrested hours later in the coastal town of Ouistreham, approximately twenty kilometers away.
Attack Followed a Brawl Near the Station
The incident occurred around 10:15 p.m. local time. According to police sources, the suspect had been involved in an altercation with several individuals earlier in the evening. He reportedly left the area and returned behind the wheel of his car, driving down a bus lane in front of the station. He then intentionally accelerated toward the group of men who had confronted him, striking them as they stood near a bus shelter. Other bystanders waiting for the bus were also caught in the vehicle’s path.
David Clavière, the prefect of Calvados, confirmed the deliberate nature of the attack during a press briefing at the scene. “A car deliberately drove into pedestrians who were on the public road in front of the station,” he said. Initial reports indicated one fatality, seven people in critical condition, and three others with less severe injuries. The death toll rose on Thursday morning when a second victim, who had been in a coma and suffered cardiorespiratory arrest, died in hospital.
Suspect in Police Custody, No Terrorist Motive Suspected
Following the attack, the driver fled toward Ouistreham, where he was apprehended by police and placed in custody. The Caen public prosecutor’s office stated that there was “no apparent terrorist motivation, but the investigations are only just beginning.”
Joël Garrigue, the public prosecutor of Caen, provided further details about the suspect in a statement released Thursday morning. The man is a 26-year-old Russian national of Chechen origin, legally residing in France with no prior criminal record. During questioning, he claimed to have been the victim of violence on the station forecourt before the incident. “His statements will obviously be thoroughly verified,” Garrigue said. Toxicology tests showed the suspect was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the attack. Authorities also confirmed he was not known to intelligence services.
Victims of Multiple Nationalities
The victims were predominantly male, ranging in age from 17 to approximately 40 years old, according to Bruno Coutanceau, deputy mayor of Caen in charge of security. Police sources identified the man killed on Wednesday evening as a 35-year-old Afghan national. The injured victims are of various nationalities, reflecting the diverse community that frequents the area around the station.
An investigation has been opened for “assassination and intentional violence with a weapon,” led by the organized and specialized crime division of Calvados. The case underscores the sudden and devastating impact of vehicle-based attacks, even when not linked to terrorism, and raises questions about the circumstances that led to such a deadly escalation.
Community in Shock
The area in front of Caen station is a busy transit hub, typically filled with commuters, students, and residents at all hours. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic as the car struck the crowd. Emergency services responded rapidly, treating the wounded on site before transporting them to nearby hospitals.
Local authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continues. The suspect remains in police custody as investigators work to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the precise motive behind the attack. The tragedy has left the city of Caen grappling with grief and searching for answers in the wake of an act of violence that shattered an ordinary evening.
