French authorities have revealed the first details about the five young suspects accused of carrying out a fatal attack on 17-year-old Louis in the southern city of Narbonne.
Louis died on June 23 after spending several days in critical condition following what prosecutors describe as a premeditated assault. Five suspects, including three minors, have been charged and placed in pre-trial detention in connection with the killing.
Authorities have identified the suspects as Jordan S., 16; Lucas P., 17; Mathias T., 17; Isaac P., 18; and Kilian T., 19. Investigators were able to identify them through videos linked to the attack that circulated on social media.
Louis Allegedly Lured Into Planned Ambush
According to investigators, Louis was lured to a construction site in Narbonne on the night of June 19 before being ambushed and violently assaulted.
The victim’s family said Louis was attacked at around 11:30 PM and repeatedly kicked in the head. According to an account shared with journalist Jules Laurans, the 17-year-old was subjected to a barrage of blows that left him in a coma.
Construction workers later found Louis in critical condition and emergency responders rushed him to hospital. Prosecutors said he had suffered multiple bruises to the face as well as bleeding from the mouth and nose. Doctors placed him in an artificial coma, but he died from his injuries on June 23.
According to a police source, Louis and the five suspects knew each other through child welfare homes, and he had allegedly already been assaulted by some of them earlier in the month.
Social Media Videos Helped Investigators Identify Suspects
Authorities say videos connected to the attack played a key role in identifying the suspects. A video of the incident was reportedly shared on social media, and investigators quickly tracked down those allegedly involved.
The suspects were initially charged with attempted murder while Louis remained hospitalized. Following his death, all five were charged in connection with the killing and placed in provisional detention.
Narbonne prosecutor Jean-Philippe Rey said the investigation points to a planned attack.
“The evidence gathered suggests that these extremely serious acts were premeditated and that the accused had set a trap for the victim by luring him into a construction site to beat him to death,” Rey said during a press conference.
The investigation remains ongoing as judicial authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.