Seven-year-old boy seriously injured in shooting and Molotov attack in Grenoble

Saturday 28 February 2026 - 12:30

By: Sahili Aya

Seven-year-old boy seriously injured in shooting and Molotov attack in Grenoble

A seven-year-old boy was seriously injured on Thursday evening after gunfire and an incendiary device targeted his family’s apartment in the southeastern French city of Grenoble, emergency services reported.

The attack occurred shortly after 10:15 p.m. in the La Villeneuve neighborhood, an area that has previously faced security challenges. According to initial reports, individuals threw a homemade incendiary device described as a Molotov cocktail onto the terrace of the ground-floor apartment, triggering a fire. Firefighters quickly brought the flames under control, preventing further damage.

At the same time, several shots were fired at the façade of the residence. Some bullets reportedly penetrated the shutters and entered the apartment. The child sustained three wounds to the thigh, believed to have been caused by fragments. He was transported to the Grenoble Alpes University Hospital and admitted to the emergency trauma unit. Authorities stated that his life was not in immediate danger.

The boy’s 47-year-old father suffered smoke inhalation and was also taken for medical treatment. The mother, aged 31, and three other children—aged three, four, and eleven—were unharmed and received assistance from emergency responders at the scene.

Police have opened an investigation to determine the circumstances and motive behind the attack. No arrests had been announced at the time of reporting. Officials have not yet clarified whether the family was specifically targeted or if the incident is linked to broader criminal activity.

Local authorities emphasized the seriousness of the incident and reiterated their commitment to restoring calm and ensuring the safety of residents in the area.