Paris suburbs experienced violent protests overnight following the shooting death of a teenager by the police during a traffic stop.
Celebrities have expressed their outrage at the incident and the apparent dishonesty surrounding the circumstances of the killing.
On Tuesday, prosecutors reported that a 17-year-old male, identified as Nael M., was stopped by two police officers for violating traffic regulations.
The initial police report stated that an officer fired at a teenager who was driving his car towards him. However, this account was contradicted by a video shared on social media and verified by AFP.
The video depicts two police officers positioned next to a motionless vehicle, with one officer aiming a firearm at the driver. A threatening statement is uttered, warning of a potential gunshot to the head.
The cop seems to fire a shot at point blank range as the automobile speeds off.
Before it crashed, the automobile had travelled only a few dozen metres. The driver was found dead not long after.
Protests erupted right away in the western Paris district of Nanterre following his death.
Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters, but a fire broke out at a music school and trash cans were set on fire.
Then, in several of the nearby suburbs, protests began.
On Wednesday, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin reported that during the night, 31 persons had been arrested, 24 police officers had been slightly hurt, and about 40 vehicles had been set on fire.
The 38-year-old police officer who was seen firing the fatal shot has been detained and is being investigated for possible voluntary manslaughter.
Attorney Yassine Bouzrou said he would seek charges of voluntary homicide against the officer and of collaboration against his partner in the shooting of Nael M.
Additionally, the attorney stated that he will file a false testimony complaint against the police officers who claimed that Nael M. had attempted to run them over.
Two people rode along in the automobile. Both were teenagers, but one got away while the other was kept for a little while.
Celebrities and some politicians voiced disgust, concern and outrage at the shooting.
“I am hurting for my France,” tweeted Kylian Mbappe, captain of the French men’s national football team and star player at the Paris Saint-Germain club.
“An unacceptable situation. All my thoughts go to the friends and family of Nael, that little angel who left us far too soon,” Mbappe said.
Actor Omar Sy, famous for his role in the film “The Intouchables” and the “Lupin” TV show, said on Twitter: “I hope that justice worthy of the name will honour the memory of this child.”
Far-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon said that “France no longer has the death penalty”, and called for “a complete redesign of the police force”.
