Assault on Vincly Mayor Sparks Investigation Amid Prior Disputes

On February 8, 2026, Gilles Henneguelle, the mayor of Vincly—a small village in Pas-de-Calais with 149 residents—was assaulted by a local resident in a public confrontation. The incident occurred as the mayor was walking and the resident was driving by. Following the assault, the mayor was found "shocked" and slightly injured, receiving aid from firefighters, according to the Pas-de-Calais prefecture.

Both parties have filed complaints against each other for violence, confirmed by Boulogne-sur-Mer's prosecutor, Cécile Gressier. The motive and details surrounding the attack remain under investigation.

This event follows a history of tension: in November 2024, Mayor Henneguelle had lodged a complaint against the same resident for death threats related to ongoing urban planning disputes in the village. The prefecture condemned the incident and expressed support for the mayor, who has been in office since 2020 and is currently seeking reelection.

Authorities plan to question both men in the near future as the investigation continues. The prefect also reached out to Mayor Henneguelle during this challenging period, emphasizing the seriousness with which the authorities treat the assault.