November 22, 2024
France Police Shooting Prompts Unrest
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France Police Shooting Prompts Unrest

More than 40,000 police officers have been mobilised across France as the government tries to contain growing anger after a police officer killed a teenager.

The 17-year-old victim, known as Nahel M, was driving a rental car in the western Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday morning when police pulled him over during a traffic check for breaking several road rules.

Police said that the teenager, who was of North African descent, was driving his car towards them, but footage emerged contradicting their narrative.

A video circulating on social media showed a police officer pointing his weapon through the window and appearing to fire at point-blank range.

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Nahel M died shortly afterwards from his wounds, according to the local prosecutor.

In reaction to the shooting, protests started in Nanterre, and spilled onto the streets in the northern city of Lille and in Toulouse in the southwest.

French authorities report unrest in Amiens and Dijon, as well as in numerous districts throughout the greater Paris region.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said at least 180 people were arrested during a second night of unrest.

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