Nanterre, France (AP) – Authorities said a French police officer was under investigation for first-degree murder after he shot and killed a 17-year-old driver. The incident sparked two days of violent fires and violent protests, injuring dozens of police officers. About 40,000 police officers will be on duty at night in affected cities and communities to curb the escalating violence.
The shooting, which occurred during a routine traffic stop on Tuesday and was caught on video, shocked the nation. The incident reignited long-standing tensions between youth and the police in housing construction and impoverished areas across France. Protests soon erupted on the outskirts of Paris, with demonstrators setting fire to cars and public buildings. The chaos soon spread to other French cities, with Interior Minister Gérald Dalmanin announcing a massive police deployment to maintain order. He stressed that “anarchy experts” should stop doing what they do.
Darmanin said 170 police officers were injured in the riot, but none of them were life-threatening. Nanterre public prosecutor Pascal Plache called for the person responsible for the shooting to be detained and a different judge to make the final decision. The initial results of the investigation led Mr Plage to the conclusion that the police did not comply with the legal requirements for the use of weapons. The incident happened when police tried to stop a car carrying three people. The driver, Neher, flew a red light to avoid traffic restrictions, but then got stuck in a traffic jam. The officer who fired the fatal shot said he wanted to stop the car from starting but he was afraid someone, including himself or his colleague, would be run over.
As is customary in the French judicial system, two judges were appointed to lead the investigation. Violence and clashes between police and youth intensified, cars were set ablaze and clashes escalated. A spokesman for the National Police reported fires and skirmishes overnight in several cities, including Toulouse and Lille, but Nanterre and other Parisian suburbs remain the main flashpoints of tension.
More than 150 people were arrested across the country, with the majority of arrests occurring in the Paris region. No casualties have been announced at this time. The scenes of violence and riots in the French suburbs are reminiscent of the riots that followed the deaths of two teenagers in 2005. French President Emmanuel Macron convened a security council to deal with the situation, saying the violence was “totally unjustified”. President Macron also echoed the silent march in memory of Neher called by his mother, expressing the need for remembrance and respect.
The incident has prompted activists to reiterate their call for action against what they perceive as systematic police abuse in impoverished neighborhoods. President Macron condemned the killing as “unexplainable and inexcusable” and stressed the importance of acknowledging the course of justice.
Lethal firearm use is relatively uncommon in France compared to the United States. But recent incidents involving French police have raised concerns and called for greater accountability. France also saw protests against racial profiling and injustice following the murder of George Floyd in the United States.
As the investigation continues, Neher`s family, represented by lawyer Yassine Bouzulu, argue that the police officers should be charged with murder rather than manslaughter. Popular French footballer Kylian Mbappe expressed his regret over the incident, tweeting: “It’s heartbreaking for my France.”
Massive police are deployed to quell ongoing protests and prevent further violence in affected areas in an effort to restore peace and stability.
