By Oleg Cetinic and Angela Charlton | Associated Press
The shooting death of a 17-year-old delivery driver by police in France has sparked outrage and calls for justice. French President Emmanuel Macron has labeled the incident “inexcusable” and urged the public to remain calm while the legal process takes place. As a result of the killing, there has been an increase in police presence in Paris and other major cities to prevent further violence.
The tragic death of Nael during a routine traffic check in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris, has provoked national concern and widespread expressions of indignation and condolences. Prominent French soccer player Kylian Mbappe expressed his sorrow by tweeting, “I hurt for my France.” Nael’s last name has not been disclosed by authorities or his family.
On Thursday, Nael’s mother has called for a silent march in his honor at the location where he was killed. Meanwhile, activists in France are once again demanding action against what they perceive as systemic police abuse. Government officials have condemned the killing and sought to distance themselves from the actions of the police officer involved.
“The death of a young person is never justified,” stated Macron during a press conference in Marseille. He went on to describe the incident as “inexplicable and inexcusable.”
Videos circulating online show two police officers leaning into the driver-side window of a yellow car, which then speeds away as one of the officers fires a shot through the window. The car later crashes into a nearby post.
The victim, who was driving the car, was shot and died at the scene, according to the prosecutor’s office. A passenger in the vehicle was briefly detained but later released, while another passenger fled and is currently being sought by police.
The killing has ignited unrest in several towns near Paris. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin reported that 31 individuals were arrested, 24 police officers were injured, and 40 cars were set on fire during the overnight disturbances.
The police officer suspected of shooting Nael is in custody and could face charges of manslaughter, as announced by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office.
The Nanterre neighborhood where Nael resided remains tense, with heightened police presence surrounding the regional administration building. Signs of the violence, such as burned car wreckage and overturned garbage bins, are still visible in some areas. On Nanterre’s Nelson Mandela Square, bouquets of orange and yellow roses have been placed at the crash site.
Addressing Parliament, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne acknowledged the “shocking images” of the incident and acknowledged that the police intervention did not adhere to the rules of engagement established for law enforcement.
In France, fatal shootings involving firearms are less common compared to the United States. Nevertheless, the death of Nael has ignited anger in Nanterre and other communities, particularly among residents of housing projects who frequently face poverty and discrimination and believe that incidents of police abuse go unpunished.
Recent years have seen several deaths and injuries caused by French police, leading to calls for greater accountability. France also witnessed protests against racial profiling and injustice following the killing of George Floyd by police in Minnesota.
Macron has urged the public to remain calm and to show respect for Nael’s loved ones. Faced with questions about police misconduct, he emphasized the importance of allowing the justice system to carry out its investigation.
Interior Minister Darmanin stated that 1,200 police officers were deployed overnight, with 2,000 officers slated to maintain order in the Paris region and other major cities throughout the day.
Nael’s family’s lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou, has called for the police officer to be charged with murder rather than manslaughter. The family also wishes for the investigation to be transferred to a different region due to concerns that the impartiality of the Nanterre investigators may be compromised.
The lawyers dispute the police officers’ claim that their lives were in danger because the driver had allegedly threatened to run them over.
Mbappe, who grew up in the Paris suburb of Bondy, was among those deeply shocked by the incident. In a tweet, he expressed his condolences, saying, “I hurt for my France. Unacceptable situation. All my thoughts go to the family and loved ones of Nael, this little angel gone much too soon.”
Charlton reported from Paris. Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed.
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