A 35-year-old man intentionally rammed five pedestrians and a cyclist on Oléron island in Charente-Maritime on Wednesday morning, causing two serious injuries. Arrested after shouting 'Allah Akbar' and trying to set his vehicle on fire, the suspect stated in custody that he had recently discovered Islam and received a divine mission. The investigation for attempted murder is ongoing, without antiterrorist involvement yet.
On Wednesday, November 5, 2025, around 8:40 a.m., Jean G., a 35-year-old French man born in 1990 residing in a mobile home in La Cotinière on Oléron island, began a deadly car rampage. Driving a white Honda Civic, he intentionally struck five people – pedestrians and a cyclist – over 35 minutes, between Dolus-d’Oléron and Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron. Two victims are in absolute emergency, including Emma Vallain, 22, parliamentary assistant to RN deputy Pascal Markowsky. Among the seriously injured, the young woman is described as 'brilliant' and 'in love with her island' by a close associate.
The suspect, known to authorities for common law offenses related to alcohol and drugs, originates from Dordogne and lives alone. Blond with brown eyes and a small beard, he is the son of a local fisherman. During his arrest, he shouted 'Allah Akbar,' attempted to set his vehicle on fire, and fled on foot. Gas canisters were allegedly found in the trunk, information under verification. In custody at Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, he gave confused statements, explaining he sought spiritual answers, recently discovered Islam, and that 'Allah had entrusted him with a mission.'
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez visited the scene, stating the suspect is not known to intelligence for radicalization. A search was conducted in the late afternoon, with phone analyses ongoing. The investigation for attempted murder is handled by the Poitiers research section and the Rochefort and La Rochelle research brigades. The national antiterrorist prosecutor's office is observing without takeover yet.
Residents are in shock. 'It's horrible. We've never seen acts like this here. Oléron is a peaceful territory,' said Christophe Sueur, mayor of Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron. Witnesses are psychologically affected. Political figures, like Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen, denounced Islamism as an 'existential threat,' while RN deputy Pascal Markowsky said he was 'deeply devastated' for his assistant.