French Mayor Attacked by Homeless Man He Tried to Help

In the quiet village of Saint-Frichoux, a shocking act of violence has shaken the community. Mayor Serge Bérard, known for his dedication to his constituents, recounted the harrowing details of an assault that left him injured and traumatized. The mayor, who has served the small commune of about 200 inhabitants since 2020, stated that he had approached the man, who appeared to be homeless and possibly fleeing his home country, with the intention of offering assistance.

However, his act of kindness was met with brutal aggression. The mayor described how the man, who he believes to be of German nationality, first destabilized him, causing him to fall. The assailant then struck the mayor on the head with a rock, requiring numerous stitches, and proceeded to attempt strangulation, leaving him with painful neck injuries. This incident, occurring in a place where such violence is virtually unheard of, has sent ripples of concern through the Aude region.

The swift arrest of the suspect by authorities has brought some measure of relief, but the questions surrounding the motive and the perpetrator's background remain. The mayor's account, shared with AFP, highlights the vulnerability that can exist even in seemingly peaceful rural settings. While the investigation is ongoing, the community of Saint-Frichoux is left to grapple with this unexpected eruption of violence and the trauma it has inflicted on their beloved mayor.

“

Il m'a déstabilisé, m'a fait tomber par terre, il a pris un caillou et m'a tapé sur la tête, j'ai plein de points de suture et après il m'a étranglé