France gripped by unrest and protests following fatal police shooting of teenager
Paris, July 1: France has witnessed continued unrest and riots for the fourth consecutive day, with tension now spreading to the French Caribbean territories. The turmoil follows the fatal shooting of a teenager by police in a Paris suburb on Tuesday, leading to widespread protests and clashes, according to France 24, a French state-owned international news television network.
The violence escalated in Paris and its suburbs on Thursday, marked by looting, fires, and the launching of fireworks. The incident was triggered by the death of a 17-year-old teenager named Nal, who was shot during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. The police officer involved in the shooting has been arrested and taken into custody.
The most intense violence unfolded in French Guiana, where authorities reported that police officers came under fire, resulting in the accidental killing of a 54-year-old government worker in the capital city of Cayenne on Thursday evening.
Also Read: French Police officer under investigation for teenager's fatal shooting sparks outrage and unrest
The streets of Cayenne were engulfed in thick black smoke as protesters clashed with police, creating a hazy atmosphere. Local authorities appealed for calm as the territory braced itself for another potential night of riots.
In a tragic turn of events, a government worker from the mosquito control office was fatally struck by a stray bullet while standing on his balcony. The circumstances surrounding his death further fueled the unrest.
On Friday, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that an additional 270 individuals had been arrested, with 80 of them apprehended in Marseille. To prevent a fourth consecutive night of violence, the Minister declared an "exceptional" mobilization of 45,000 police and gendarmes.
Amid the chaos, graffiti reading "vengeance pour Nael" (revenge for Nael) appeared on a wall in Nanterre, referencing the slain teenager and using an alternative spelling of his name.
The situation escalated further as a bank was set on fire in Nanterre, and 15 individuals were taken into police custody for questioning after a memorial march for the teenager turned violent. In Marseille, protesters launched fireworks at police officers, while in Lille, six people were detained for participating in a protest that had been prohibited by authorities, as reported by CNN citing BFMTV.
Also Read: France riots: Over 400 arrested as violent protest continues
- ANI
