TENSIONS reached fever pitch in Paris after the death of a teenager at the hands of a police officer.
Nael M was gunned down at the wheel of his car sparking a huge riot across the French capital on June 28, 2023.
Who was Nael M?
Nael M is a 17-year-old French-Algerian who is being referred to by the first initial of his surname.
He worked as a delivery driver and lived in the Nanterre neighbourhood, in the western suburbs of Paris.
What happened to Nael M and why was he shot?
On Tuesday, June 28, 2023, the teenager was pulled over in his Mercedes rental in the western suburb of Nanterre.
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He failed to comply with an officer after he broke several road rules, prosecutors stated.
It was alleged one of the officers then shot at Nael M when he attempted to drive the vehicle away from the police.
French news agency AFP have authenticated a video circulating on social media showing two police officers attempting to stop the vehicle.
In the video one of the officers is seen pointing his weapon at Nael M through the window.
It then goes on to show that officer firing at close range after Nael M apparently ignored him and continued driving.
Emergency services attempted to resuscitate the teenager but he died shortly afterwards.
The police officer involved in the incident has been detained on suspicion of manslaughter.
Nael’s mother, who wishes to not be named, said: “I lost a 17-year-old, I was alone with him, and they took my baby away from me.”
She added: “He was still a child, he needed his mother.”
A total of 31 people were arrested including 25 police officers injured and 40 cars being burnt down after the riots, said officials.
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What have the authorities said about the incident?
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin declared the incident and video as “extremely shocking” urging “for calm and truth”.
Footballer Kylian Mpabbe tweeted: “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”.
France’s president Emmanuel Macron added that the shooting was “inexplicable” and “unforgivable”.
