Protests Break Out in France after Police Shoot Dead Teenager
Several Parisian suburbs experienced unrest overnight following a police shooting that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old driver who attempted to evade traffic control officers.
The incident occurred in Nanterre on Tuesday morning and quickly stirred strong emotions after a video capturing the event was shared on social media.
The footage depicts a police officer firing into the driver’s side window as the car accelerates, despite the absence of immediate danger to the officers.
The family’s lawyers accused the police of carrying out an “execution” and announced their intention to file a lawsuit against the two officers involved. The teenager, identified as Naël, resided with his family in Nanterre, and he was driving a rented car without a license.
President Emmanuel Macron issued an appeal for calm on Wednesday, urging the public to allow investigators the necessary time to thoroughly investigate the incident and establish the facts surrounding the tragedy.