Poster put up by the French-Tamil association of Noisy-le-Sec
''The deaths of these young children and their mother bring mourning to us all. It is with great sadness that we present our condolences to the relatives of the victims. The French-Tamil association as well as the entire Tamil community supports residents of all ethnicities in the city of Noisy-le-Sec. Let us pray together that their souls rest in peace.''
Tamils across France have left tributes for a Tamil family after a Tamil woman and four children were murdered on October 3rd in the Parisian neighbourhood of Noisy-le-Sec
The man accused of the massacre, said to be the husband, father and uncle of the deceased; is alleged to have killed his wife, his 18 month old and 5 year old children, and his 9 year old and 11 year old nephews. The sister and brother-in-law of the accused as well as two other of their children (13 & 15 years old) managed to survive the attack.
The police were informed about the incident when a young boy covered in blood reportedly came for help at a bar nearby, stating that his uncle had “become crazy” and that he attacked the family with “a knife and a hammer”.
“It was a horrible scene, several of us are shocked” stated police officers on arrival at the scene. The man accused of the murders was held in intensive care due to multiple stab wounds immediately after the incident.
The incident has left the local community including around 30 Tamil families originally from Jaffna in shock and incomprehension.
“The day before the incident, the family had gone to the temple for a ceremony for the wellbeing of the baby,” stated a friend of the family.
The mayor of the town and previous teacher of one of the murdered children, Olivier Sarrabeyrouse stated, “I don't understand what could have happened”. “The community does not understand. He adored his son. He comes to pick him up from school with his other child on his shoulders".
The former school teacher described them as an ideal family, adding “parents have a strong desire for success for their children”.
The family were extremely involved with the school and regularly attended meetings,” he added. “The children were brilliant’’.
Therapy sessions were arranged by the French National Education system in order to help deal with the trauma faced by the school children impacted by the death of their friends.
A vigil was held on Friday 09th October in Noisy-le-sec in tribute to the victims, organised by the French-Tamil association of the town and by the city. Dozens of people had come to pay their respects and five tree pots were installed in memory of the victims.
French police are conducting further investigations into the incident.