Credits: Chris93 / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0.
In Marseille, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, a 20-year-old man, the younger brother of Amine Kessaci, was shot dead near the Dôme at 2:30 p.m. Two individuals on a motorcycle opened fire before fleeing. The Marseille prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation for organized gangland killing and criminal conspiracy. The theory of an intimidation aimed at Amine Kessaci, a 22-year-old environmental activist and founder of Conscience, is being considered, with no conclusive evidence.
At 2:30 P.M., A Targeted Attack Near The Dôme
According to initial reports, two helmeted individuals approached a stationary vehicle. The passenger fired multiple shots with a handgun. 9 mm casings were found at the scene. The perpetrators left the area by motorcycle. The exact area is near the Dôme, on the edge of the 4th and 5th arrondissements, a detail that remains to be confirmed. The victim, identified as Mehdi or Mohamed Kessaci (first name to be confirmed), was unknown to police and judicial services.
The Marseille prosecutor, Nicolas Bessone, says he does not rule out the hypothesis of a “warning killing.” He calls for caution, noting that the direction of the case will depend on the evidence gathered by the judicial police.
Confirmed Facts And Points To Clarify
Confirmed: A 20-year-old man was killed by handgun. In addition, 9 mm casings were recovered. Also, two suspects arrived on a motorcycle and fled immediately. Consequently, an investigation has been opened for organized gangland killing and criminal conspiracy. Finally, the victim’s criminal record was clean.
To Clarify: victim’s exact first name, precise location (between the 4th and 5th arrondissement), motive, possible link to Amine Kessaci’s activities, the trajectory of the motorcycle after the attack, origin of the weapon.
Family Context And Public Reactions
The Kessaci family has already suffered a homicide: in 2020, Brahim Kessaci, an older brother, was killed in a triple murder, his body found charred. The trial for that case is scheduled within the year. Amine Kessaci, 22, became known for his involvement with Conscience and for the recent publication of Marseille, essuie tes larmes.
The Marseille city hall responded through Benoît Payan, expressing support and condolences. The mayor said the victim wanted to become a police officer. Christine Juste, Green deputy mayor, and Marine Tondelier (EELV) also reacted, emphasizing the situation of young people exposed to violence and urging that the investigation be allowed to proceed.
Modus Operandi And Lines Of Inquiry
The sequence of events—approach by motorcycle, repeated close-range shots, quick getaway—points to methods common in Marseille settling-of-scores cases. That similarity is not, however, enough to establish the motive or link to specific criminal networks. Investigators are carrying out standard checks: video surveillance analysis, geolocation and cell-site triangulation, requests to operators, ballistic analyses, interviews.
The so-called warning killing theory is being examined. Indeed, the victim was not known to police. Thus, he may have been targeted to send a message. This hypothesis has no standalone legal value and remains contingent on the material evidence that will be collected.
What The Law Says
An organized group is characterized by a structure and preparation in advance of the acts. Criminal conspiracy punishes collusion. It targets committing a crime or offense punishable by at least five years. Assassination implies premeditation. These classifications justify enhanced investigative powers and harsher penalties. In this case, they allow the mobilization of specialized units of the judicial police and broaden the scope of requisition powers.
Witnesses And Immediate Environment
Witnesses report a motorcycle leaving the scene quickly. Some businesses closed earlier than usual. Urban cleaning services intervened. No usable description of the perpetrators has been provided so far. Witness statements will be cross-checked and compared with available video recordings.
Points Of Caution And Next Steps
- Formal identification of the victim, first name to be confirmed.
- Exact location of the incident to be specified, between the 4th and the 5th arrondissement.
- Establishment of motive: possible intimidation, other dispute, or no proven link.
- Search for the weapon and escape trajectories.
- Analysis of video recordings and phone data, ballistic analyses.
The prosecutor’s office will release new information as findings and expert reports proceed.
Reference Points For Understanding
Marseille faces violence linked to trafficking. These are handled by specialized units. Also, a prosecutor’s office manages long-term cases. The criminal classifications of organized gangland killing, criminal conspiracy, and assassination define the framework of the investigation. In the coming days, efforts will focus on material evidence rather than interpretation.
What Is Known, What Remains Uncertain
At this stage, established facts and shadows coexist: documented modus operandi, identity to confirm, motive undetermined. The judicial police continue their investigations under the authority of the Marseille prosecutor’s office. New information is expected as expert reports and image extractions proceed. The article will be updated according to official statements and judicial decisions.