A prominent fraudster and businessman, Eric Robic, was shot dead on the streets of Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, on Thursday morning. This incident occurred in a residential area near Paris, highlighting the violent end to a controversial figure. Robic was previously involved in a fatal accident that resulted in the death of a young Israeli woman in 2011.
Details of the Shooting Incident
Robic, 51, was assassinated in public as he walked on the sidewalk. Eyewitnesses reported multiple gunshots fired by two men on a scooter who quickly fled the scene. According to Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, one of the assailants dismounted the scooter and fired three or four shots, hitting Robic in the head and arm before escaping.
Response from Law Enforcement
Following the shooting, police discovered a burning scooter thought to be connected to the attackers in a nearby underground parking lot in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. The Paris Criminal Brigade is currently investigating the case, gathering evidence from the crime scene.
Robic’s Controversial History
- Robic had a criminal record with twelve convictions dating back to 1994.
- He was previously convicted of financial crimes against automotive dealerships and banks.
- In 2014, he was sentenced to five years in prison for causing the death of Lee Zeitouni in Tel-Aviv when he hit her with his BMW X6.
Lee Zeitouni was a 25-year-old gym and yoga instructor who lost her life in a pedestrian crossing on September 16, 2011. After hitting her, Robic fled back to France, where he faced legal consequences.
Community Reaction
The news of Robic’s death prompted various reactions. Roy Peled, Zeitouni’s former fiancé, mentioned that this event felt like a closure for him. He expressed enduring grief over Zeitouni’s memory but pointed out that Robic’s fate was not his concern.
Gilles-William Goldnadel, a lawyer for the Zeitouni family, remarked that he felt no sympathy for Robic and stressed that his thoughts were with Zeitouni instead.
Recent Legal Troubles
Robic faced additional legal issues in January 2024 when he was convicted for a major international fraud scheme involving over one million euros. This scam involved purchasing vehicles through shell companies and fraudulent accounts, selling them at a loss, and laundering the profits in countries like Poland, China, and Israel. Over twenty companies became a part of the civil suit related to this case, which affected about one hundred victims between 2013 and 2014.
