In Grenoble, emotion and anger during the tribute to Lilian Dejean, the municipal employee shot dead

MISCELLANEOUS – An act of heroism that cost him his life. Around his colleagues, the city of Grenoble paid a vibrant tribute on Monday, September 9, to Lilian Dejean, the municipal employee shot dead on Sunday by a reckless driver who was trying to flee after a traffic accident on Boulevard Jean-Pain.

If his colleagues were still in shock, they all wanted to come and salute his heroism and express their anger after this incident that cost the life of the 49-year-old cleaning agent. Sunday morning, Lilian Dejean was on duty when he witnessed this road accident. Except that in wanting to prevent the perpetrator from fleeing, the latter shot him twice in the chest. Fatal shots for the municipal employee, who died shortly after.

« It was his way of being.”

In front of the steps of Grenoble City Hall, many people gathered on Monday, after this act of ” “unheard of violence that befell our colleague”noted the green mayor Éric Piolle. “We can’t stand these guns everywhere anymore”he said, expressing his “sadness” and his ” anger “.

Gathered despite the rain, several hundred people, including many elected officials, colleagues and friends, observed a minute of silence in memory of the father. Every death at work is unacceptable, this one is even less so”his colleague from the CGT Maxime Grand, the union with which he was involved, told the crowd. Questioned by RTLLil, one of the victim’s brothers, especially wanted to salute his ” heroic gesture ».

« To me, he’s a hero. They say heroes don’t wear capes, and he does, even if it’s hard. I know he couldn’t have done otherwise, because that was him. That was Lilian, that was his way of being. “, said Lilian Dejean’s little brother, especially angry with the reckless driver who “ destroyed a family ” He now hopes that he ” surrender, take responsibility for his actions, realize what he has done “The author of the shots and the accident, whose identity remained unknown on Sunday evening, has now been identified, “known to justice” et “actively sought”the Grenoble prosecutor said on Monday evening.

“Gang War” worrying

In the morning, several dozen of Lilian Dejean’s colleagues, exercising their right to withdraw, had already gathered in the town hall lobby where they posted photos and messages to him, such as: “We will miss you” or “Public service died with you”.

“Disgusted, sickened. We are all affected by what happened. Our colleagues are traumatized and we think it is not normal.”summarizes Virgile Comella, also a municipal employee in urban cleanliness. For Xavier Rang, also a cleaning agent, Lilian certainly felt that it was his duty to intervene “and didn’t play cowboy or anything”. “We are part of the public service, if we see accidents we intervene to see if the person is injured or if there are oil leaks”he emphasizes.

Another tribute, bringing together his loved ones, is also planned for this Monday late afternoon at the scene of the tragedy. Another deadly incident for the Alpine metropolis, already marked by a summer marked by firearms: at least 17 episodes of firearm violence have been recorded in the territory since the beginning of the year and the authorities no longer hesitate to speak of “gang war”.

“There is a social issue that has been raised, but it is not today’s time”added Eric Piolle to the press. “But today is the time for solidarity, dignity and homage.”