Nahel is of North African descent. The incident has sparked long-standing complaints about police violence and systemic racism within law enforcement agencies from rights groups and in the multi-ethnic suburbs that surround the cities. major city in France.

A number of people have died or been injured at the hands of French police in recent years, prompting demands for more accountability. France also saw protests against racism and other injustices after George Floyd was killed by police in Minnesota.

A spokesman for the national police said Tuesday’s killing was the third-deadliest shooting at a traffic stop in France until 2023. Last year there was a record 13 such shootings.

According to a Reuters tally, there are three such homicides in 2021 and two in 2020, suggesting that the majority of victims since 2017 have been Black or Arab.

Clashes first broke out on Tuesday night in and around the Paris suburb of Nanterre, where Nahel was killed. Trash cans were set on fire and some protesters threw firecrackers at police. The officers used tear gas on the crowd. The government deployed 2,000 police to maintain order on Wednesday. But the violence resumed after sunset. About 40,000 police were mobilized across France on Thursday.

The aunt of a French teenager shot dead by police last week, has called for an “end to the violence” and her nephew’s death to peacefully trigger “real change”, in an interview. sincere to The Independent.

Hatifa, who turned 47 on Saturday on the day of her nephew’s funeral, described 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk as a “loving teddy bear” who has big ambitions who love to write rap lyrics. and “dedicated” to his mother.

Prosecutors said the 17-year-old, identified as Nahel M, was driving a car Tuesday morning when he was stopped for a traffic violation. The teenager is too young to have a full driver’s license in France.

Police initially reported that an officer shot at the teenager because he was driving towards him. But this version of events was quickly contradicted by a viral video on social media.

On Thursday, prosecutor Nanterre said eyewitness testimony, CCTV footage, amateur footage and testimony from a police offer were being used to piece together a timeline of events from the morning. Tuesday.

Pascal Prache confirmed that two motor police officers noticed a Mercedes, with a young driver and two passengers speeding in the bus lane at 7:55 a.m. Tuesday.

Police twice tried to signal the car to pull over and stop, but the driver continued to drive and two officers pursued the vehicle.

The Mercedes had to stop at a traffic light, at which point the police asked the driver to turn off the engine and get off.

Officers said they drew their weapons and aimed at the driver to prevent him from getting into the vehicle. However, the driver fled and the police decided to open fire.

A bullet pierced the driver’s arm and chest, and the vehicle was damaged. One of the passengers fled. Firefighters were called to the scene at 8:21 a.m. They gave first aid to the driver but to no avail.

According to Mr Prache, the officer who fired a single shot said he wanted to stop the car from leaving and because he was afraid someone might be hit by the vehicle, including himself or his co-workers, according to Mr. Prache.

The officer faces preliminary charges of attempted murder for shooting Nahel.

Based on an initial investigation, prosecutor Prache said, he concluded that “the conditions for the lawful use of weapons were not met.”

Tourists have been advised by a travel expert not to cancel trips to France after five nights of unrest, but to stay “flexible” and avoid big cities at night.

Riots have spread across the country following the police shooting of 17-year-old Nahel in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday.

The UK government has updated its guidance for travelers to France to warn of “potential disruption” but is not advising visitors to the country.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay encouraged those considering traveling to France to check the Foreign, Federal and Development Office (FCDO) for up-to-date advice.

Speaking on Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday, he said: “That’s something the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be watching very closely.

“They keep regular updates on their website.

“And what I would say to anyone worried about this, who is thinking of traveling to France, keep an eye on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there will be regular updates there and what to expect. That will keep people informed.”

Although the riots appeared less intense on Saturday, with tens of thousands of police deployed in cities across the country, more than 700 people were arrested. Police fired tear gas and fought in the street with protesters late into the night in the hot spot Marseilles.

Earlier the same day, 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk was laid to rest in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, where he was shot dead by a police officer during a traffic stop on Tuesday, sparking days of vicious clashes. paralysis.

The grandmother of a 17-year-old boy who was shot to death causing widespread riots in France has urged people not to participate in the chaos.

Nahel Merzouk is believed to have been killed by a police officer during a traffic stop on Tuesday in the Paris suburb of Nanterre.

Angry reactions and unrest quickly spread from the outskirts of the capital to other parts of France including Marseille in the five days since.

Curfews have been enforced in some places and thousands of police have been deployed in the streets to prevent mayhem including looting and burning of trash cans.

Nadia, Nahel’s grandmother, told BFM TV that the boy was a “good, good boy” and wanted the riots to end. “I want it to stop everywhere,” she said. “I tell the rioters this: Don’t smash windows, attack schools or buses. Stop! Those are the mothers who are on the bus, those are the mothers who are walking outside.”

Nadia went on to detail how the tragedy destroyed her family. “It’s over, my daughter has no life left,” she said.

Rioters stormed the home of a Paris suburb mayor, set fire to his car and set off fireworks at his wife and young child as they fled on the fifth night of nationwide unrest following a police shooting. a teenager of North African descent on Tuesday.

Vincent Jeanbrun, 39, the centre-right mayor of the southern suburb of L’Hay-les-Roses, was at town hall when his home was attacked with his wife Melanie and their children sleeping inside.

The local prosecutor said the assailants drove their car to the suburban home but were stopped by a low wall surrounding the house’s outdoor terrace. Then they burned their car.

When Jeanbrun’s wife and children, ages 5 and 7, flew through the backyard, they were hit by fireworks. Jeanbrun told Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne that his wife had had surgery to break her leg and had to recover for three months.

“While trying to shield them and flee the attackers, my wife and one of my children were injured,” the mayor said.

The local prosecutor told reporters that an investigation into the murder plot had been opened. No suspects have been arrested.