France Police Murder man in Marseille Riots

French prosecutors have launched an investigation into the death of a 27-year-old man who was fatally shot by a rubber bullet during riots that occurred on Saturday, July 1, according to the Marseille prosecutor’s office.

This incident follows the recent civil unrest across France triggered by the shooting and killing of a 17-year-old boy, Nahel Merzouk, by a police officer during a routine traffic stop in a Parisian suburb.

The nationwide clashes have resulted in thousands of arrests, and approximately 45,000 officers have been deployed to quell the unrest and maintain public order.

The Marseille prosecutor’s office stated that the unnamed man’s death was caused by a violent chest impact from a ‘flash-ball’ projectile commonly used by riot police. However, they did not specify who fired the projectile or owned the weapon in question.

The man tragically passed away during the night of July 1 to July 2 while Marseille was engulfed in riots. The precise circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the man’s location at the time and whether he was actively participating in the riots, remain unclear.

Prosecutors have determined that the impact of the projectile led to cardiac arrest and sudden death for the victim. They continue their investigation to gather more information about the incident.

These events unfolded in the aftermath of a week marked by confrontations between police forces and protesters across France, sparked by the controversial killing of teenager Nahel M.

The tragic incident involving Nahel, who was shot at point-blank range during a routine traffic stop by a police officer, triggered widespread outrage and raised questions about police tactics and use of force.

French President Emmanuel Macron held a meeting with French officials to delve into the underlying causes of the riots that followed Nahel’s death.

The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the grievances and concerns that have fueled the protests, in order to address the issues and work towards finding a resolution.