The death of 15-year-old Matisse in the Saint-Denis neighborhood of Châteauroux has shocked the community, with bouquets of white roses accumulating at the site where he collapsed after being stabbed multiple times in the chest on Saturday, April 27 at around 5:45 pm. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries later that evening, at the same time an adolescent suspected of being the assailant was arrested by the police and placed in custody. An investigation has been launched for “attempted voluntary homicide”, with the 15-year-old Afghan suspect’s mother also being detained on suspicion of involvement in the incident.
The suspect had previously been involved in two criminal proceedings, with the most recent being for “aggravated theft with violence”, involving the robbery of a cell phone at knife-point. He had been indicted for this crime and placed under judicial supervision by a judge on April 22. According to the prosecutor, Agnès Auboin, this was the only security measure that could be taken under the juvenile justice code due to his age and lack of prior convictions. The circumstances surrounding the attack on Matisse are still unclear at this stage, with authorities working to establish a clearer picture of what led to the incident.
On Monday afternoon, the adolescent and his mother appeared before a examining magistrate to initiate a formal judicial inquiry. It has been determined that Matisse’s murder was unrelated to the suspect’s previous legal issues. Hundreds of messages expressing condolences continue to pour in on the father of Matisse’s Facebook wall, with many expressing shock and sadness at the senseless act of violence. Some are drawing parallels to a similar incident in Châteauroux in July 2021 when 25-year-old Maxime was fatally attacked, leading to a call for a stronger response from authorities.
The online platform has become a space for remembrance and dialogue, with references being made to past incidents of violence in the community and the perceived lack of justice for victims. Calls for justice and a tougher approach towards juvenile offenders are circulating on social media, with some pointing to the need for stricter measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring. The community is reeling from the loss of a bright young student and aspiring chef, prompting a reflection on the state of safety and security in the area. The tragedy has sparked a debate on the response to youth violence and the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of such incidents.
