Firefighter critically wounded in shooting near Marseille; suspect in custody

PARIS, Nov 1 (OPA) — A senior firefighter was shot and critically wounded Sunday while responding to a vehicle fire in Les Pennes-Mirabeau, located between Aix-en-Provence and Marseille. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the attack occurred as emergency crews attempted to extinguish a blaze involving a heavy goods vehicle and several smaller cars at the Plan de Campagne commercial hub.

Prefect Jacques Witkowski stated that the victim, an adjutant-chief leading the response team, sustained life-threatening injuries. The assailant initially barricaded himself near the scene of the fire before being taken into custody and handed over to judicial police. A security perimeter remains in place as investigators process the site.

Minister Nuñez condemned the incident, describing the shooting as a violent and unprovoked attack against emergency responders. "All our thoughts are with him for his recovery," Nuñez wrote in a statement posted to social media. The minister confirmed that the wounded firefighter is currently receiving emergency medical care.

Eric Brocardi, spokesperson for the French fire service, expressed full support for the victim and his colleagues. He emphasized the gravity of the assault, noting that targeting those who provide aid undermines the fundamental principles of public safety. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect or a potential motive for the shooting.