Protests intensify in Paris after police shot teenager dead

ProUnrest in France persisted for a second night, with security forces remaining on the scene to prevent any untoward incidents following the death of a 17-year-old boy who was allegedly shot dead by police during a traffic stop.

According to French authorities, the incident sparked violent protests in many Paris suburbs overnight Tuesday, resulting in the injuries of 24 police officers and the arson of 40 cars. Over 2,000 police officers were mobilized on Wednesday, anticipating that rioting would continue into the evening.

The teen, identified as Nal, was killed on Tuesday after being stopped for a traffic violation in the Paris suburb of Nanterre, and the officer accused of shooting him was arrested.

According to the prosecutor’s office in Nanterre, the officer will be held for another 24 hours so that prosecutors can question him.

The fatal shooting of the teenager was described as “unjustifiable” by French President Emmanuel Macron. Prosecutors said the boy was in a Mercedes car with two other people at the time of the incident.

“Nothing, nothing justifies the death of a young man,” Macron told journalists in Marseille.