On Tuesday, 27 June 2024, a 17-year-old was fatally shot by the French police after attempting to evade a traffic check near Paris, leading to widespread shock and raising concerns about the tendency of security forces to employ violent measures.
Image source: AFP
According to prosecutors, the 17-year-old was behind the wheel of a rental car in the western suburb of Nanterre when the police stopped him for multiple traffic violations. The teenager involved in the incident has been identified as Nael M and it is alleged that he did not comply with a police directive to halt his vehicle on Tuesday.
Chronicles of the incident:
A video, verified by AFP, is circulating on social media, displaying two police officers attempting to halt the vehicle. One officer can be seen aiming his firearm at the driver through the car window and firing at close range when the driver attempts to flee.
Following the incident, the car traveled a short distance before crashing. Despite the efforts of emergency services to revive him, the teenager passed away shortly thereafter.
The police officer responsible for firing at the driver has been arrested and faces charges of homicide, as stated by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin informed parliament that the two police officers involved were undergoing questioning and acknowledged the highly disturbing nature of the footage that is circulating on social media.
While urging the public to respect the family’s grief and maintain the presumption of innocence for the police officer involved, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin emphasized the need for a fair investigation.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez, during an interview with BFM television, acknowledged that the officer’s actions raised concerns, although he suggested that the officer may have felt threatened.
The family’s lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou, appearing on the same channel, stated that while everyone should await the investigation’s outcome, the video footage depicted the killing of a young man by a police officer in a premeditated manner. The family lodged a complaint accusing that the police had initially lied about the car attempting to run over the officers.
Protests break out following the incident
Residents staged a protest outside the police headquarters in response to the incident. In the evening, protests erupted in Nanterre, characterized by fires, a torched car, and damaged bus stops, intensifying tensions between the police and residents.
The police reportedly deployed tear gas and dispersion grenades as a response to the demonstrations. Recognizing the potential for further unrest, thousands of police officers were mobilized on Wednesday to maintain order and ensure public safety.
The situation underscores the importance of ensuring that law enforcement personnel do not have a license to kill and that thorough investigations are conducted to establish the facts. Authorities reported the arrest of nine individuals during the confrontations.
Officials reported that amidst the riots, 31 individuals were arrested, 25 police officers sustained injuries, and 40 cars were set on fire.
Kylian Mbappé, a renowned French football star who hails from the Parisian suburbs, expressed his outrage regarding the recent incident. In a tweet, he expressed his sorrow for France and condemned the “unacceptable situation.” Mbappé extended his heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Nael, referring to him as a young angel who departed too early.
