Violent clashes erupted for the second consecutive night in various towns across France, resulting in nearly 200 arrests and multiple instances of vandalism. The unrest followed the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old who allegedly failed to comply with a police order to stop his car. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin revealed that 170 officers were injured during the clashes, emphasizing that the attacks targeted important symbols of the republic. In response, Darmanin pledged to restore order and announced the deployment of 40,000 police officers across the country. The police officer involved in the shooting is currently in custody as part of an ongoing murder investigation.
In the wake of the violent protests, significant damage was reported in several locations. An apartment building in Villeurbanne near Lyon was partially burned, while all seven police cars in Neuilly sur Marne were set ablaze. Additionally, a tramway in Clamart and a portion of the city hall building in Evreux were subjected to destruction. French authorities deemed the use of a weapon in the fatal incident in Nanterre unjustified, intensifying the scrutiny surrounding the officer’s actions. Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances leading to the teen’s refusal to comply with the police’s instructions.
French lawmakers observed a minute of silence in memory of the deceased teenager, identified as Nahel, expressing solidarity with his family and loved ones. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, addressing parliament, condemned the officer’s decision to open fire, stating that it clearly deviated from the French police’s rules of engagement. Borne reassured the public that justice would prevail concerning the shooting, underscoring the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.
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