A 20-year-old French soldier has died after being shot in the head during an incident described as a “game” involving fellow troops at a social gathering. The fatal shooting took place last Saturday at the Percy Military Teaching Hospital in Clamart, just outside Paris, where several soldiers were reportedly attending a party in which alcohol was being consumed.
The soldier, Brigadier Alexandre Lanckbeen, sustained a critical head injury when a handgun discharged during what prosecutors say was an attempt by soldiers to simulate disarming one another. According to early findings, the activity, known informally within some military circles, typically involves handling an unloaded weapon. In this case, however, the firearm contained live ammunition.
Emergency medical care was immediately provided, but despite efforts to save him, Lanckbeen succumbed to his injuries days later. News of his death was confirmed on Friday, prompting expressions of grief from military leadership and colleagues.
Loïc Mizon, the military governor of Paris, conveyed his deep sorrow and extended condolences to the young soldier’s family. He assured them of the armed forces’ full support during what he described as a heart-breaking loss.
Lanckbeen was assigned to the 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment in Tarbes and had been participating in Operation Sentinelle, France’s long-running domestic security deployment aimed at protecting sensitive sites and reinforcing national security.
Legal action has followed swiftly. Three soldiers present during the incident have appeared before a Paris court. One faces charges related to armed violence and breaching military regulations by consuming alcohol. The other two have been charged with causing unintentional injury through a serious violation of safety obligations. All three are also accused of interfering with the scene in a manner that may have obstructed the investigation.
In light of Lanckbeen’s death, judicial authorities are expected to reconsider and potentially escalate the charges. The case is now being handled by the criminal investigation service in Hauts-de-Seine, which is tasked with establishing the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The tragedy has sparked renewed concerns about discipline and firearms safety within military settings, particularly during off-duty gatherings. As investigators continue their work, the focus remains on accountability and preventing such a devastating incident from ever happening again.
