A 27-year-old woman, Élodie Thomas, a cashier at a supermarket in Tribeca, is in critical condition at Victoria Hospital in Candos, Mauritius. She was shot in the jaw by a police officer on Friday evening, October 9, while driving home in a van. The incident occurred on a road blocked by objects, and the officer fired a shot that hit Élodie Thomas, lodging the bullet near her spine. She also suffers from a generalized cerebral edema.
Élodie Thomas's condition is severe, and her medical tests were sent to Mumbai, India, where Dr. Paresh Naik and his team concluded that urgent surgery is necessary. Instead of transferring her to India, four Indian doctors will arrive in Mauritius on Monday morning to perform the operation. The Minister of Health, Anil Bachoo, and Minister Deven Nagalingum visited Élodie Thomas at the hospital, and Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam is closely following the case.
A police sergeant has been arrested in connection with the incident and appeared before the Weekend Court on Saturday. He was charged with "Possession of Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life" and was denied bail. The police opposed his release, and he remains in detention. The firearm used in the incident has been secured. Élodie Thomas is a mother of a two-year-old girl from Plaisance, Rose-Hill.
The Police Press Office confirmed the involvement of a police sergeant in the incident, and the officer was arrested and placed in a cell. Members of the Fron Militan Progresis (FMP) visited Élodie Thomas's family to offer support. Rama Valayden, an FMP member, expressed concerns about the investigation and requested a drug test for the police sergeant. He also asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to reconsider the charge against the sergeant.
Deputy Prime Minister Arianne Navarre-Marie invited anyone with information about the incident to come forward and testify. She assured that the government is following the case closely and that there will be no "cover-up." Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam also emphasized that the government will establish the facts and take action against anyone responsible for wrongdoing.
The incident has raised concerns about police conduct, and Rama Valayden requested that the charge against the police sergeant be upgraded to "Attempt at murder." According to Valayden, the sergeant had threatened the van driver before the incident occurred. The government has promised to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident thoroughly.
Élodie Thomas's family has received support from the government and the community. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam expressed his sympathy and concern for Élodie Thomas and assured her family of his support and solidarity. He wished her a speedy and full recovery.
Key points
- Four Indian doctors will operate on Élodie Thomas, who was shot by a police officer in Mauritius.
- A police sergeant has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
- The government has promised a thorough investigation and no "cover-up" in the case.
