A 56-year-old man was shot dead on his terrace in a quiet French village, with investigators ruling out suicide and pointing to a premeditated murder.
Man shot dead on terrace
A 56-year-old man was shot dead on October 16 on the terrace of his home in Lebetain, a small village near Switzerland with about 400 residents. He was outside smoking when the incident occurred, and his wife, who was in the living room, heard at least two explosions.Neighbor also heard the blasts
The victim's wife found him seriously injured on the ground, with wounds to his hand and abdomen. Their only neighbor, who was present at the time, also heard the explosions. Emergency services were called around 16:35 and arrived quickly.Victim did not explain the attack
The victim was still conscious when emergency responders arrived and asked to be intubated, but he did not explain what had happened. He soon lost consciousness and was pronounced dead at 17:10 by the SMUR doctor, a mobile intensive care unit.Investigation rules out suicide
An immediate inquest for murder was opened, led by the Belfort investigation unit and the Besançon gendarmerie. The suicide hypothesis was ruled out based on the nature of the injuries, their location, and the absence of a weapon at the scene, according to the prosecutor.No weapon found at the scene
No weapon or projectile was found at the scene, with the only ballistic evidence being inside the victim’s body. A forensic autopsy confirmed the death was caused by at least one gunshot, resulting in multiple wounds to the chest and abdomen.Suspect’s guns not linked to the attack
A judicial inquiry was opened against X Hunter, the deceased, who owned several hunting guns. All have been seized and analyzed, but none currently show ballistic links to the incident, according to Mr. Lallois.No clear motive or suspects yet
The prosecutor described the attack as a "criminal act, clearly evident, with particularly mysterious contours," noting that it was not the result of a random altercation but a "premeditated act." No motive has been identified, and no arrests have been made.Investigators seek witnesses
An appeal for witnesses has been launched in Lebetain and Delle, asking anyone with information to contact the Belfort gendarmerie. Investigators are focusing on the theory of murder and considering the possibility of a premeditated act.
