France police shooting: What is happening in France? Know about riots triggered in Paris after police shot dead 17-year-old

The shooting incident involving a 17-year-old male by police in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, led to widespread demonstrations in various cities across France on Wednesday evening. The young boy, known as “Naël,” tragically lost his life during a traffic stop that occurred on Tuesday. His second name has not yet been released. While the majority of the protests remained peaceful, there were isolated instances of violence and vandalism, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of individuals.

Why did France riots begin?

After a police officer shot and killed 17-year-old Nahel in Nanterre, France, two consecutive nights of protests have unfolded in the city and have gradually spread to other regions. The officer allegedly fired at the teenager while he was attempting to escape from the police, citing concerns for his own safety. The entire incident was captured in a video.

Following an initial investigation, local prosecutor Pascal Prache determined that the necessary conditions for the lawful use of the weapon were not fulfilled. As a result, the police officer responsible for the fatal shooting in the Paris suburb of Nanterre will now face an investigation for voluntary homicide.

Initial statements by French police:
According to reports from French media, initial police statements suggested that the 17-year-old, who was of North African descent, deliberately drove his car towards them in an attempt to harm them. However, video footage posted online shows an officer aiming his weapon at the driver through the car window and seemingly firing at close range as the driver tried to flee.

The video also captures someone saying, “You’re going to be shot in the head,” although it is unclear who made the statement. Two other individuals were present in the car during the incident, with one managing to escape while the other, also a minor, was apprehended and detained by the police.

How far have France riots spread?

Riots have broken out in various cities throughout France, encompassing the outskirts of Paris, Toulouse, and numerous towns in the northern regions. In addition, disturbances have been reported in Amiens, Dijon, St-Etienne, and the vicinity of Lyon.

Protesters have engaged in acts of aggression, including launching fireworks towards law enforcement, setting vehicles ablaze, and intentionally igniting public structures. Notably, in Garges-lès-Gonesse, a town hall was set on fire, while in Mons-en-Barœul, another town hall was torched, resulting in severe damage to multiple facilities and services.

According to reports, law enforcement authorities have detained a minimum of 150 individuals due to their participation in the riots.

Nahel’s mother expresses grief over losing her child:

Mounia, the mother of Nahel, expressed her profound grief in an interview with Blast France, highlighting how her beloved child had been taken away from her. She called upon individuals to join a march to commemorate her son’s memory.

“He was still a young child, needing the presence of his mother,” she shared. “In the morning, he bid me farewell with a kiss and said, ‘I love you, Mum.'”

Mounia painfully recounted the devastating news she received merely an hour later, informing her that her son had been shot. Overwhelmed by the immense loss, she expressed the profound impact Nahel had on her life, stating, “What can I possibly do? He was my entire world. He meant everything to me.”

How is France’s government responding to the protests?

On Thursday, France’s President Emmanuel Macron convened a crisis meeting and strongly denounced the violence as “unjustifiable”. He emphasized the importance of reflection and serenity in response to the tragic death of a young man. The government has consistently urged for calm, and Macron reiterated the need for this approach to prevail in the hours ahead, along with paying tribute to the 17-year-old victim.

Macron also condemned the recent violent incidents targeting police stations, schools, town halls, and other institutions. He deemed such actions completely unjustifiable, expressing gratitude to those working overnight to safeguard these establishments and restore peace.

Moreover, in response to the urban violence stemming from a fatal police shooting, the head of the Paris region, Valerie Pecresse, announced that bus and tram services would conclude early on Thursday evening at 9 pm.

This decision aims to ensure the safety of transportation workers and passengers. Valerie Pecresse emphasized on Twitter that their public transportation systems should not be targeted by individuals engaging in thuggery and vandalism.

The French government has declared its intention to deploy 40,000 police officers and adopt a zero-tolerance stance in areas where buildings and vehicles have been set ablaze. Following the outbreak of rioting that resulted in numerous injuries to police officers and extensive damage to nearly 100 public buildings, government ministers dispersed to the affected areas, urging for calm while firmly asserting that such violence would not be tolerated any further.

After a crisis meeting in the morning chaired by Macron, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced a significant increase in police presence, with the number of officers being augmented from 9,000 to 40,000. In the Paris region alone, the deployment of officers will more than double, reaching a total of 5,000.

French police force strength:

French law enforcement agencies possess a higher number of firearms per capita compared to other advanced economies. As per data from the Small Arms Survey, approximately 500,000 firearms are in the possession of French police officers, resulting in a ratio of 765 guns per 100,000 civilians. This ratio surpasses that of the United States, where the ratio stands at 300 guns per 100,000 civilians. In comparison to France, Germany, despite having a larger population, has a slightly lower number of police officers and firearms.

Meanwhile, on a global scale, Belarus holds the distinction of having the highest ratio of law enforcement firearms per capita, with a staggering 1,745 guns per 100,000 civilians.

FAQs:

What is Emmanuel Macron say about Nahel’s death?
On Thursday, France’s President Emmanuel Macron convened a crisis meeting and strongly denounced the violence as “unjustifiable”. He emphasized the importance of reflection and serenity in response to the tragic death of a young man. The government has consistently urged for calm, and Macron reiterated the need for this approach to prevail in the hours ahead, along with paying tribute to the 17-year-old victim.

How strong is France’s police force?
French law enforcement agencies possess a higher number of firearms per capita compared to other advanced economies. As per data from the Small Arms Survey, approximately 500,000 firearms are in the possession of French police officers, resulting in a ratio of 765 guns per 100,000 civilians. This ratio surpasses that of the US.