2024 - Suburb of Nanterre - Riots in Paris after fatal police shot at teenager

In Paris suburbs there have been riots and burning cars after deadly police violence.
During a traffic check, an officer had previously shot a 17-year-old driver at close range.
The police have mobilized 2,000 emergency services for tonight, according to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.

Legend:

Angry people set vehicles on fire.

Eva Gueye via REUTERS

In the Paris suburb of Nanterre, a police officer shot and killed a 17-year-old driver during a traffic check, triggering serious riots overnight. A motorcycle patrol stopped the car, which was occupied by three people, on Tuesday morning.

When the youth suddenly drove off again, the fatal shot was fired. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said the officer responsible was taken into police custody. He is being investigated on suspicion of manslaughter. The 38-year-old is threatened with suspension.

At close range

A video verified by broadcaster France Info shows the officer pointing his gun at the level of the driver’s door at the stationary car. The situation appears to be under control and there are no signs of hectic movement.

When the 17-year-old suddenly drives off at the wheel, the officer fires at close range and fatally hits him in the chest. The car then drove a few meters further and rammed a roadblock. A passenger – also a minor – was arrested and later released, while a third fled, according to the public prosecutor.

France’s soccer superstar Kylian Mbappé reacted with emotional words to the death of a 17-year-old in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. “I’m sorry for my France. An unacceptable situation. All my thoughts go to Naël’s family and his loved ones, this little angel who left far too soon», tweeted the 24-year-old striker from champions Paris Saint-Germain.

According to France Info, the two patrol officers initially stated that the youth had wanted to run them over. They later backed off from this version and explained that he had not followed their instructions and then suddenly accelerated – there was no longer any talk of an intention to kill.

SRF France correspondent Daniel Voll says: “The police are suspected of trying to cover up the fact that the young man was killed because he disobeyed the police officers. The video clearly shows that he is not threatening the police officers. The car pulls away from the cops, not toward them. This refutes the original statement by the police that they acted in self-defense.”

The riots, which began last night with a demonstration in front of the Nanterre police station, spread to neighboring towns during the night. Garbage cans, cars, an elementary school and the extension of a town hall were set on fire by angry people, and emergency services were shot at with exploding firecrackers.

Barricades were set up between the high-rise settlements and firefighters were hindered in their operations. The police used tear gas and rubber bullets, but had to retreat in the face of the massive attacks.

According to Interior Minister Darmanin, 31 people were arrested and 24 of the 1,200 police officers deployed were injured. Around 40 cars burned out. Darmanin called for calm. 2000 officers were mobilized to keep the situation under control.

The teenager is said to have been known to the police for previous traffic offenses and resisting law enforcement officers. Interior Minister Darmanin described his death as a “drama”, but at the same time pointed out that resistance to state authority had resulted in the deaths of police officers in many cases.