France has been thrown into chaos as riots rage across the country following the deadly shooting of a 17-year-old boy, a French citizen of Moroccan and Algerian descent, by a police officer during a traffic stop.
Once tranquil cities have been transformed into war zones, rioters torched cars and buildings.
Nahel was in a Mercedes AMG with two others before being stopped by two police officers for breaking traffic rules, France24 reported.
While initial reports said the teenager was shot because he was driving his car at the police officer, a new version of events contradicted the report by a video circulating on social media.
The footage showed the police officers standing by the side of the stationary car while one pointed a weapon at the driver.
A voice is heard saying, “You are going to get a bullet in the head.”
The officer appears to fire at the driver at point-blank range as the car drives off before crashing.
One passenger was detained and released after an investigation, while another is missing as fleeing the scene.
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According to the Nanterre prosecutor’s office, Nahel died “following at least one gunshot wound.”
The police officer responsible for the shooting has been taken into custody for questioning by prosecutors.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office has ordered a comprehensive investigation, which includes an autopsy of the victim, a toxicology report, and additional examinations.
Following the news of the shooting, tens of thousands took to the streets as violent protests and riots raged cause chaos across France.
Images of burning vehicles looting, and clashes with the police have dominated the news cycle.
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French President Emmanuel Macron held a crisis meeting and called for peace to quell the riots, emphasizing the need for a complete and thorough investigation into Nahel’s death.
France has since suspended all public transportation in response to the nationwide protests and riots.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced the deployment of 40,000 federal and local police officers to quell the nationwide protests and riots.
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