Manhunt, suspect detained over Paris killing of Argentine rugby player

A woman suspected of taking part in the killing of former Argentina rugby international Federico Martin Aramburu in Paris was being questioned by police Monday after being arrested late Saturday, sources close to the inquiry said.

Argentina's Federico Martin Aramburu dives over to score a try during the Rugby World Cup Group D match between Argentina and Georgia at the Gerland Stadium, in Lyon, central France, in 2017. © AP/Laurent Cipriani (File photo)

The attack occurred in the chic Saint-Germain-des-Pres district on the Left Bank of the French capital where Aramburu and some friends were having burgers and about to call it a night at around 6.00am (0500 GMT) on Saturday.

They got into a heated argument with another group of patrons at a cafe before being separated by bouncers, but the other group later returned in a car and fired several shots, one police source said.

"There was an altercation, as there can be at the end of the evening. It was settled but the men came back and fired at Aramburu, who took three bullets," said a former Biarritz player who was with Aramburu, asking to remain anonymous.

"Several bullet marks" were found on the spot, added a source close to the investigation, and Aramburu died at the scene as a result of his injuries.

The 24-year-old woman is suspected of driving the vehicle for two other men who opened fire, the source said.

Police are still searching for the other two suspects, another source close to the inquiry told French news agency AFP, one of whom is known for being a far-right activist.

"This heinous crime and his death have left his family and friends and beyond all, the world of rugby, stunned and in unspeakable pain," a lawyer for Aramburu's family, Yann Le Bras, said in a statement on Sunday.

Aramburu, 42, was a back who won 22 Argentina caps and played in the 2007 World Cup in France, scoring a try as the Pumas beat the hosts in the third-place playoff.

The rugby family mourns the loss of former Argentina winger Federico Martín Aramburú at the age of 42

Part of the @lospumas squad who finished third at RWC 2007, he won 22 caps for his country and represented the likes of Glasgow Warriors, Perpignan and Biarritz pic.twitter.com/J4iSfIrPl0

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) March 19, 2022

He played club rugby in France for Biarritz, Perpignan and Dax from 2004 to 2010, winning the top 14 twice with Biarritz and later sitting on the club's board of directors.

Since his retirement from sport, he had lived in Biarritz and worked for a tourism company.

(with AFP)