France sees second night of unrest over shooting of teen

France witnessed another night of unrest Wednesday as authorities deployed thousands of security forces to quell violent protests sparked by the fatal shooting of a teenager by police.

French President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency meeting with senior ministers Thursday, calling the violence "unjustifiable."

"The last few hours have been marked by scenes of violence against police stations, but also schools and town halls... against institutions and the Republic," Macron said at the meeting.

The Interior Ministry said 2,000 police had been mobilised in the Paris region, and dozens of them had been injured after the clashes. 

"A night of intolerable violence against symbols of the republic, with town halls, schools and police stations set on fire or attacked. Shame on those who did not call for calm," Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter. He added that 150 people had been arrested.

What caused the riots in France?

The unrest was sparked by the killing of a 17-year-old driver by police in the Paris suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday morning. 

A video posted on social media purported to show two police officers trying to stop a vehicle, with one pointing his weapon at the driver through the window and firing at point blank when he drives off.

The teenager's death led to clashes and arson attacks in several Paris suburbs on Tuesday night, with 31 people arrested and 24 police officers injured.

Anger and unrest for second night running

On Wednesday, similar incidents occurred in Nanterre and other areas west of Paris, as well as in the eastern city of Dijon.

Police clashed with protesters in the northern city of Lille and in Toulouse in the southwest, and there was also unrest in Amiens, Dijon and the Essonne administrative department south of the French capital, a police spokesman said

In the Essonne region, a bus was set on fire after passengers were evacuated by a group of individuals. Some protesters set cars ablaze and lit fireworks.

In Toulouse, cars were set alight, and responding police and firefighters were targeted with projectiles.

About 16 people were arrested across the country, according to the police.

'Inexplicable and unforgivable,' says Macron

Police initially reported that an officer had shot at the teenager because he was driving his car at him.

But a video circulating on social media, verified by Reuters and AFP news agencies, showed two policemen standing beside the stationary car with one of them pointing a weapon at the driver.

A voice can be heard threatening the driver before the police officer appears to fire as the car abruptly drives away.

President Emmanuel Macron, during an official visit to the southern city of Marseille, referred to the teenager's killing as "inexplicable and unforgivable," emphasizing that nothing can justify the death of a young person.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne acknowledged that the police operation "clearly did not comply with the rules of engagement for police." 

France debates police tactics, treatment of ethnic minorities

The incident has reignited debate in France about police tactics and the treatment of individuals in low-income suburbs, particularly those belonging to ethnic minorities.

It also drew attention to the increasing violent crime in the country.

The victim, named as Nahel M., was a delivery driver. His mother took to TikTok to call for a tribute march.

Prominent figures, including footballer Kylian Mbappe and actor Omar Sy, expressed their sadness and outrage over the incident, calling for justice to be served.

The 38-year-old police officer who fired the fatal shot was taken into custody and is currently under investigation for voluntary manslaughter.

The lawyer for the killed teen, Yassine Bouzrou, plans to file an additional complaint regarding false testimony about Nahel attempting to run over the officers.

tg/sri (AFP, Reuters)