A tragic accident occurred on the night of April 21-22, involving singer Kendji Girac, the winner of the third season of The Voice in France, whose career is now well-established. He is now a coach on The Voice Kids, which has the same principles as the original shows but focuses on the youth.
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Kendji Girac was shot
Girac was shot in the chest last night in Biscarrosse (Landes), according to BFMTV. The singer, who grew up in the Catalan Gypsy community, is currently in hospital in Bordeaux.
The tragedy is said to have occurred at traveller site in Biscarrosse, around 50km (31 miles) from Bordeaux, reported BFMTV from corroborating sources. The 27-year-old singer was found at around 5:30AM by the French police who had been called, according to France Bleu Gascogne.
He has stablised
At the scene, some twenty people claimed that nothing had happened, and refused to give any information, according to Le Parisien. However, other sources have said that Girac told first responders that he had accidentally shot himself after 'mishandling' a Colt 45 automatic pistol.
While Kendji Girac was taken to Bordeaux University Hospital early this morning with a life-threatening prognosis, reassuring news came out this morning. A source close to the case told AFP that his status was no longer life-threatening.
Dubbed 'a domestic accident'
The police seem to be exploring all possibilities, despite the singer's claim that the wound was self-inflicted. A source close to the case said that 'swabs were taken from the guitarist's wife', for samples to be used to identify gunshot residue.
A source close to the case told journalists: 'The interested party reportedly said he had bought a firearm (type unknown at this stage) the day before at a flea market in La Teste-de-Buch. The location where the events took place has been 'frozen for the time being'. Investigators are also currently interviewing the victim, who is 'reporting a domestic accident', as BFMTV reports.
A close friend of the singer makes revelations about the gun
Fans and friends of Kendji Girac may be relieved, but the reason for his possession of a firearm remains a mystery. Payou Baptiste, president of the southern gypsy community and friend of Kendji Girac, revealed why the young man was in possession of a gun: 'He's a collector!' he told BFMTV.
'We gypsies are passionate about hunting and fishing,' he explained.
We were the first ecologists. We'd stop beside a river to catch a fish. We'd cut the reeds to dry them. That's why... We love nature, we're always close to nature. And Kendji loves nature, he loves hunting and fishing, like any good gypsy.
So, it seems this was a passion that could have turned tragic.
This article has been adapted from Oh!MyMag FR.
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Sources used :
BFMTV:INFO BFMTV. LE CHANTEUR KENDJI GIRAC BLESSÉ PAR BALLE CETTE NUIT, SON PRONOSTIC VITAL N'EST PLUS ENGAGÉ
Le Parisien:Kendji Girac blessé : arme retrouvée, explications du chanteur… ce que l’on sait des faits survenus ce lundi
BBC: Kendji Girac: The Voice France star seriously hurt after shooting
