PARIS: Street riots rocked the Paris suburb of Nanterre, following a fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old youth during a traffic stop on Tuesday, reported German news agency (dpa).
An angry mob set garbage cans, cars and an elementary school on fire and emergency forces were pelted with fireworks, authorities said.
Rioters erected barricades between the high-rise housing estates and hindered firefighters in their operations.
The unrest began on Tuesday evening with a demonstration in front of the Nanterre police station and spread to neighbouring towns. In Mantes-la-Jolie, a town hall was set on fire. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets, but had to retreat.
According to authorities, 15 people were arrested.
The riots were sparked by the death of a 17-year-old on Tuesday morning during a police traffic stop. A witness’ mobile phone video of the incident, verified by the France Info channel, shows an officer pointing his gun at the driver’s door of the stationary car.
When the youth at the wheel suddenly drives off, the officer fires at close range, fatally wounding him.
France Info reported that the officer was taken into custody on suspicion of manslaughter. According to Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, the police supervisory body (IPGN) has launched an internal investigation into the incident.
The killing triggered outrage in France with accusations of excessive police violence.
“The death penalty no longer exists in France. No police officer has the right to kill except in self-defence,” tweeted left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon. He said police were bringing the authority of the state into disrepute and needed to be reformed from the ground up.
The president of the conservative Républicains, Éric Ciotti, expressed his support for the police.
“Support for our police officers mobilised tonight in #Nanterre to maintain order. The night will be tough, you are the defenders of our collective security. Nothing justifies this chaos!” he tweeted. – BERNAMA-dpa
