As a fourth night of riots looms following the fatal shooting of a teenager by police during a traffic stop, French officials are deploying 45,000 police officers and armored vehicles. The unrest has spread to several cities, including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse, Strasbourg, and Lille.
The incident, in which Nahel M., a 17-year-old, was killed by police in the Nanterre suburb of Paris, was captured on video and has sparked the ongoing riots throughout the country. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin reported that 270 individuals were apprehended on Friday night alone, making a total of 1,100 arrests since the protests began.
In Marseille, individuals participating in the riots targeted a firearms store, where they stole several hunting rifles, although they did not take any ammunition.
Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan expressed his concerns on Friday, urging the French government to dispatch additional troops, as he found the acts of looting and violence witnessed in the city to be completely unacceptable.
In an appeal made by Darmanin, he called upon local authorities to halt bus and tram services beyond 9 p.m., while emphasizing the deployment of 45,000 officers.
Addressing the country’s firefighters and police officers, Darmanin expressed confidence in their unwavering dedication, stating that the upcoming hours would be crucial and he relied on their impeccable commitment.
