Gunmen ambush French prison van to free drug dealer killing two guards

Gunmen ambushed a French prison van near Rouen, Normandy, on Tuesday, resulting in the escape of a notorious drug dealer and the tragic deaths of two prison guards. The incident has sparked a massive manhunt involving hundreds of police officers and gendarmes, as authorities scramble to apprehend the perpetrators and the escaped inmate.

The ambush occurred around 11 a.m. local time at a toll booth on the A154 motorway in Val-de-Reuil, Normandy. The prison van was transporting Mohamed Amra, a 30-year-old drug dealer known by the moniker "The Fly," from a court hearing in Rouen to a secure facility in Evreux. Amra, who has a long criminal record, was recently convicted of burglary and is under investigation for a kidnapping and homicide case in Marseille.

According to eyewitness reports, the attackers were heavily armed and masked, using at least two vehicles to carry out the assault. The gunmen, dressed in black and wielding automatic firearms, rammed an SUV into the front of the prison van, forcing it to a halt. They then opened fire, killing two prison officers and injuring three others, two of whom are in critical condition.

Footage from the scene, which has been authenticated by authorities, shows the aftermath of the attack, with a black SUV engulfed in flames and the prison van severely damaged. The attackers managed to free Amra and escape in their vehicles, which were later found burned out nearby.

French Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti expressed his deep condolences to the families of the deceased officers and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. "Everything, and I mean everything, will be done to find the perpetrators of this heinous crime. These are individuals for whom life holds no value. They will be caught, they will be tried, and they will be punished according to the severity of their actions," Dupond-Moretti stated.

The attack has sent shockwaves through France, marking the first fatalities in the French prison service since 1992. President Emmanuel Macron also issued a statement expressing his shock and commitment to ensuring that justice is served. "The nation stands alongside the families, the injured, and their colleagues. Everything is being done to find the perpetrators of this crime so that justice can be served in the name of the French people," Macron said.

The manhunt for Amra and the gunmen is being led by the national jurisdiction against organized crime in Paris. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has mobilized several hundred police officers and gendarmes, including a helicopter, to search for the fugitives. Roadblocks have been set up, and a perimeter has been established in the region as authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

Amra, who was born in March 1994, is a well-known figure in the French criminal underworld. He has ties to Marseille's powerful gangs and is suspected of orchestrating a murder in the city. Despite his criminal background, Amra was not considered a "radicalized" prisoner, according to police sources. However, a prison source revealed that Amra had attempted to escape just two days prior to the ambush by sawing off the bars of his cell. He was subsequently placed in solitary confinement, and his surveillance level was increased.

The attack has raised serious concerns about the security of prison transport operations in France. Dupond-Moretti has announced the convening of the Justice Ministry's crisis unit to address the situation and ensure the safety and security of all those involved. "This unprecedented act of violence is an extreme rarity for the peaceful region of northern France," Dupond-Moretti noted.

As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on organized crime, murder, escape attempts, possession of military-grade weapons, and conspiracy to commit crime. The French public remains on edge as the manhunt intensifies, with many hoping for a swift resolution to this tragic and alarming incident.