Olivier told French journalists he and his partner had been attacked at around 3:25 a.m.:

"We were leaving a dinner washed down with plenty of wine with friends. We were walking arm in arm towards the Ourcq metro. Not in a 'homo' style. We'd had a lovely evening and we were talking about it. A bit loudly, perhaps, he said. Then I heard: 'Ah, homosexuals!' I took the first hit in the eyes. I tried to protect myself but I received six hits. It was a wave of hatred. Very violent. I saw my partner on the ground where his head had become a football. I shouted 'Get lost!' and they ran off."