Paris: Protests persist for a third night following the tragic police shooting of a teenager in a Paris suburb, resulting in over 100 arrests, as confirmed by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. According to an official from the Paris Prefecture Office, fourteen individuals were apprehended for allegedly breaking into a flagship Nike store.
A considerable number of 40,000 law enforcement officers have been deployed nationwide. Out of this total around 5,000 officers have been stationed strategically in Paris and its neighboring areas. The city of Brussels in Belgium has also witnessed riots in solidarity with the incident, leading to eight arrests and an increased police presence.
The incident that sparked the violent unrest took place in Nanterre, France. A tragic incident occurred on Tuesday morning when a police officer fatally shot a 17 year old driver during a routine traffic check. The local prosecutors’ office has confirmed that the officer is currently in custody and may potentially be charged with manslaughter.
The Nanterre prosecutor revealed that the officer failed to meet the requirements to justify using his weapon. Pending trial, he will remain in custody. The incident triggered widespread protests marked by acts of violence, including the burning and assault of police stations, schools, and town halls. Interior Minister Darmanin reported over 150 arrests related to the protests across the country on Wednesday night and strongly condemned the “unbearable violence” witnessed.