Like many others, I was horrified and deeply moved by the first reports that reached us about the young man lynched in Lyon by antifa activists, on the sidelines of Rima Hassan's lecture at Sciences Po.

By cross-checking the information I obtained from police sources and Quentin’s circle, here’s what I can say at this stage about the lad.

Quentin D. is a 23-year-old student from Lyon, studying finance and maths. He converted to Catholicism a few years ago and attends Mass at the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. Those close to him describe him as a devout lad. He led his family down a path of faith after his conversion.

He’s also a nationalist activist, and like other activists, he was contacted by the Némésis collective to provide security for an event last night near the IEP in Lyon, where Rima Hassan was giving a lecture. There were about fifteen of them.

The women from Némésis suffered an initial assault, then the activists packed up and were set upon in adjacent streets, pursued by several dozen antifa activists. During this chase, Quentin was tripped up, smashed his skull against the ground, and was then kicked repeatedly in a lynching. This attack left him with numerous brain injuries. He got back up with a friend and carried on his way home.

Then he lost consciousness upon reaching Quai Fulchiron near Vieux Lyon: at that point, his comrade, himself lightly injured, called for help. State services confirm that the young man, unconscious, was taken into care around 7:40 p.m.

Quentin was admitted to Hôpital Édouard Herriot; he’s in a coma and suffering from a brain haemorrhage. His loved ones have little hope. Father Grenier administered the last rites to him this morning.