Residents have set up barricades between the apartments, hampering the work of firefighters. According to the authorities, the emergency services were bombarded with large quantities of fireworks. The police used tear gas and water cannons, at least fifteen people were arrested.
The riots also spread to neighboring municipalities. In Mantes-la-Jolie, a town hall was set on fire.
The 17-year-old boy allegedly refused to listen to officers’ instructions when his car was stopped. A video verified by Reuters news agency shows the officers standing next to the vehicle.
When he wants to level up, an agent shoots the boy, of Algerian origins. He was shot in the chest and CPR could not be saved. The family filed a complaint against the agent and the police opened their own investigations. According to France Info, the agent was arrested on charges of manslaughter.
Capital punishment
The boy’s death sparked outrage across the country, with allegations of excessive police brutality. The death penalty no longer exists in France. No police officer has the right to kill except in self-defense.” leftist politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon tweetedwho added that the police must be “reformed from scratch”.
The riots also led to outrage, which came out in support of the police. “Support our police officers mobilized tonight in Nanterre to maintain order,” wrote the conservative politician for example Eric Ciotti on Twitter. You are the defenders of our collective security. Nothing justifies this chaos!’