Parents of Noahm, Who Died After Homophobic Attack in Metz, Criticize Political Exploitation

Metz – 11.06.2026: On May 30, 2026, 19-year-old Noahm was seriously injured at Place de la République in Metz following an altercation with two men. Despite immediate medical treatment, he succumbed to his injuries on June 2. The two suspects, aged 20 and 27, were arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder.

Following the incident, several politicians, including Jean-Luc Mélenchon and Sébastien Chenu, publicly expressed their concern and described the act as homophobically motivated. Mélenchon wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “A young man died two days ago following a homophobic attack. He was assaulted at night in Metz by a group with homophobic insults, suffered a skull trauma, and died as a result.”

The parents of Noahm, who had not spoken publicly since their son’s death, have now issued a statement through their lawyer, Me Sophie Friha. They emphasized that they do not wish for the incident to be politically exploited. “Above all, we want to raise societal awareness,” explained Me Friha. “We are not interested in using the case for political purposes.”

The investigations are still ongoing. The Metz public prosecutor, Davis Touvet, stated that it has not yet been conclusively determined whether the act was homophobically motivated. “The investigating judge is examining all possible aggravating circumstances. Should it be confirmed that the act was committed because of the victim’s sexual orientation, it will be considered an aggravating factor.”

The parents hope the tragic incident will lead to broader societal sensitivity. “We want everyone to understand that such acts of violence must have no place in our society,” said Me Friha. “We want to preserve the memory of our son and ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.”

The family asks the public to show respect in their remembrance of Noahm and calls for restraint until the investigations are complete. “We want to mourn in peace and hope for a thorough clarification,” Me Friha stressed in conclusion.

The family receives support from local initiatives such as Solidaires and SOS Homophobie, which call for increased awareness and better protection for LGBTQIA+ individuals. In Metz, several memorial events and vigils have already taken place, where people marched against hate and discrimination. These incidents highlight the need for greater social cohesion and protection against violence based on sexual orientation.