Bullet Still in Her Neck: Élodie Thomas's Husband Speaks Out

The husband of Élodie Thomas, the woman shot at Camp-Levieux in Mauritius, has revealed that the bullet that struck his wife remains lodged in her neck — and has not yet been removed. Speaking to Le Défi Media, the husband confirmed the harrowing detail, saying simply: "The bullet is still in her neck." The statement underscores the severity of the injury sustained by Élodie Thomas and the complexity of her medical situation. **What happened at Camp-Levieux?** Élodie Thomas was shot in a incident at Camp-Levieux, a locality in the east of Mauritius. The case drew immediate national attention and triggered a wave of political and public reaction. A police sergeant was subsequently arrested in connection with the shooting — a development that has raised serious questions about conduct within the Mauritius Police Force. The gravity of the case prompted the Mauritian government to fly in four specialist surgeons from India to assess and treat the victim, reflecting the complexity of operating on a bullet lodged so close to critical structures in the neck. **A nation watching** The shooting has become one of the most high-profile incidents in Mauritius in recent memory. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam publicly vowed there would be no cover-up, while civil society group ReA (Resistans ek Alternativ) has called for a parallel independent inquiry into the circumstances of the shooting, expressing concern that an internal police investigation may lack impartiality. Human rights lawyer Roshi Valayden also entered the fray, demanding that the arrested police sergeant be subjected to a drug test — a request that signals deeper questions about the officer's state at the time of the incident. **What this means** The fact that the bullet remains in Élodie Thomas's neck suggests surgeons have determined that removal poses risks that must be carefully managed — a not-uncommon situation when a projectile is near the spinal cord or major blood vessels. The presence of four visiting Indian neurosurgeons or vascular specialists points to the need for highly specialised expertise not readily available locally. For the broader public, this case has reignited debate about police accountability in Mauritius. When a serving officer is accused of shooting a civilian, the institutional response — who investigates, how independently, and how transparently — matters enormously for public trust. Élodie Thomas's condition and the legal proceedings against the arrested officer continue to be closely followed across the island. Source: Le Défi Media