A businessman with a lengthy criminal record was killed in a daylight shooting on Thursday, April 16, 2026, in the affluent suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Eric Robic, 51, was targeted in a targeted attack that has since been classified as an assassination by French authorities.
The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. When Robic was struck by gunfire to the head in the middle of the street. Despite immediate efforts by bystanders to perform cardiac massage while awaiting emergency services, police sources confirm the victim could not be revived franceinfo.
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, initial witness accounts describe two men on a scooter who fired multiple handgun shots before immediately fleeing the scene. The investigation, initially handled by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office, has been transferred to the Juridiction inter-régionale spécialisée (JIRS) of Paris franceinfo.
Robic was described by law enforcement as being “very unfavorably known” to police and judicial services. His history included twelve convictions dating back to 1994, involving charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit a crime, and aggravated involuntary manslaughter franceinfo.
A History of Legal Convictions and International Controversy
Among the most prominent marks on Eric Robic’s record was a 2011 incident in Tel Aviv, Israel. Robic was convicted in 2014 for the death of Lee Zeitouni, an Israeli yoga instructor, whom he struck and killed while driving a 4×4 vehicle Paris Match.
This specific case brought Robic significant international notoriety, linking him to a high-profile tragedy in Israel. His legal troubles, however, extended far beyond that single event. The French judicial system had dealt with Robic over three decades, resulting in a cumulative total of twelve convictions for various offenses, primarily centered around financial fraud and criminal association franceinfo.
Details of the Neuilly-sur-Seine Assassination
The precision and execution of the attack in Neuilly-sur-Seine suggest a coordinated effort. The use of a scooter for a rapid getaway is a common tactic in targeted killings in the Paris region. The Paris prosecutor’s office has officially categorized the event as an assassination, indicating that the killing was premeditated and the victim was specifically targeted franceinfo.
The transfer of the case to the Juridiction inter-régionale spécialisée (JIRS) is a significant procedural move. This specialized body typically handles complex crimes, including organized crime, terrorism, and high-level financial delinquency, suggesting that investigators may be looking for links between Robic’s business dealings, his criminal past, and the motives behind his execution.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Beginning of a criminal record that would eventually total 12 convictions |
| 2011 | Death of Lee Zeitouni in Tel Aviv caused by Robic driving a 4×4 |
| 2014 | Conviction for the death of Lee Zeitouni |
| April 16, 2026 | Assassinated by two men on a scooter in Neuilly-sur-Seine at approx. 9:30 a.m. |
Impact and Investigation Outlook
The death of Eric Robic leaves behind a legacy defined by fraud and tragedy. For the family of Lee Zeitouni and others affected by his previous crimes, the event marks a violent finish to a man who spent years navigating the edges of the law. The investigation now focuses on identifying the two assailants and determining if the hit was ordered by associates from his past in the world of financial escroqueries or related to his international legal disputes.
As the JIRS continues its investigation, the focus remains on analyzing witness testimony and searching for surveillance footage from the streets of Neuilly-sur-Seine to track the trajectory of the getaway scooter.
The next confirmed step in this case is the ongoing investigation by the Juridiction inter-régionale spécialisée de Paris to identify the suspects. We will provide updates as official findings are released by the prosecutor’s office.
World Today Journal encourages readers to share this report and abandon comments regarding the intersection of organized crime and international justice in the section below.