A serious incident occurred on October 9, 2026, in Camp-Levieux, Mauritius, where a 27-year-old woman, Élodie Thomas, was shot and critically injured by a police sergeant. According to reports, Thomas was a passenger in a minibus that was stopped by police on a road obstructed by debris and objects. The police sergeant, Gautam Singh Taukoor, allegedly fired a shot at the minibus, hitting Thomas in the neck.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and outrage. Thomas, a mother of a two-year-old child, was taken to Victoria Hospital in Candos, where she was placed in an artificial coma. Her husband, Jonathan, received news of the incident around midnight on October 9, when the minibus driver informed him that his wife had been shot. Thomas works part-time as a cashier at the Winners supermarket in Tribeca Mall and also cares for her elderly parents.
The police have confirmed that a sergeant fired a shot at the minibus, but the circumstances surrounding the incident are still unclear. According to the police, the minibus was traveling on a road obstructed by objects, and the sergeant brandished his firearm after engaging with the driver. The driver, Rudy, claims that the sergeant threatened him and then fired a shot at the minibus as it drove away.
The police sergeant, Gautam Singh Taukoor, was arrested on October 9 and charged with "Possession of Firearm with intent to endanger life." He was denied bail and is set to be questioned about the incident. The police have also seized his service firearm and placed the minibus under seal. An investigation is underway, and the police are working to identify and interview other officers present at the scene.
The incident has drawn a reaction from the Prime Minister's office, with Navin Ramgoolam promising to get to the bottom of the incident. In a statement, Ramgoolam expressed his support and solidarity with Thomas's family and assured that no stone would be left unturned in establishing the facts and bringing those responsible to account. He also canceled a visit to Rodrigues, citing the incident and other pressing issues in the country.
The condition of Élodie Thomas remains critical, according to hospital officials. A multidisciplinary team has been treating her, and her condition has not changed. The hospital's duty manager, Soobaraj Sok Appadu, confirmed that Thomas suffered a serious neck injury and is being closely monitored.
The incident has raised concerns about police use of force and accountability in Mauritius. The case is set to be closely watched, and the authorities have promised a thorough investigation. The Firearms Act of 2006 outlines the laws and regulations surrounding the use of firearms by police officers, including the offense of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Key points
- A police sergeant shot and critically injured a 27-year-old woman, Élodie Thomas, in Mauritius on October 9, 2026.
- The incident has sparked widespread concern and outrage, with the Prime Minister promising a thorough investigation.
- The police sergeant, Gautam Singh Taukoor, has been arrested and charged with "Possession of Firearm with intent to endanger life."
