Kendji “Girac” Maillié, former winner of The Voice: France, was taken to the hospital early on April 22 after he was shot in the chest at a Traveller camp in Biscarrosse, France, near Bordeaux. Police were called around 5:30 a.m., and Girac was taken to a hospital in Bordeaux. According to a report from Agence France-Presse (AFP), his injuries were not life-threatening.
The report also shared statements from multiple unnamed sources. Allegedly, Girac initially told police that he accidentally shot himself in the chest with a Colt 45 that he purchased at a junk shop. Additionally, another source said that police had not yet questioned Girac. There are conflicting statements and nothing has been confirmed at this time.
A man who claimed to be Girac’s uncle and gave his name only as Emilio told AFP reporters, “This isn’t a gangland shooting. It’s an accident. He was playing with the [gun] and ‘bam’. We were quietly playing the guitar… An accident can happen at any time.”
According to the French outlet Le Monde, members of Girac’s family arrived at Haut-Leveque hospital in Bordeaux, but declined to make a statement on the situation. Additionally, there was no indication that Girac sustained life-threatening injuries, according to a close source who spoke to AFP. There is no confirmation that the police are launching an investigation, but reports are not ruling it out at this time.