Naël C., 17, was killed early this Tuesday, June 27 in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine) at the wheel of the car he was driving by a police officer who used his weapon after the young man refused a control and accelerated in front of the agents. The police officer was taken into custody for “voluntary homicide”, indicated in the evening the parquet floor of Nanterre, specifying that “The blood alcohol and narcotics screening operations were carried out and proved to be negative”. “An autopsy and additional examinations, particularly in terms of toxicology, have been ordered and must be carried out tomorrowthe statement added. The exploitation of the elements found on the spot, in the vehicle, and of the various videos of the scene continue.
According to a video circulating on social networks and authenticated by Release, the shooting occurred in the François-Arago passage, in the district of the prefecture. Contacted by Freedthe author of the video says to herself “still very shocked”. The images show what appears to be a traffic stop. Two motorcycle police officers, helmeted and dismounted, stand in contact with the yellow car, near the driver’s side window.
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A motorcycle with its blue flashing light is parked on the right side of the vehicle, set back. One of the agents is leaning out of the window, pistol in right hand; the other is to the left of the hood, his weapon held in both hands. We hear what looks like injunctions from the agents, perhaps to order the motorist to stop his vehicle. But this one starts, the two agents deviate from it. In less than a second, the policeman near the hood fires. The camera follows the car, then returns to the two officers, who seem to be heading towards their motorcycles on foot.
another videofilmed after the fact by journalist Clément Lanot, shows the vehicle having finished its race about sixty meters further, overturning a road sign, on Nelson-Mandela Square, dotted with surveillance cameras which could be used for investigations.
According to the first elements of the investigation, reported by the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office to Freed during the morning, three people were in the vehicle, a powerful Mercedes AMG, when the incident occurred at 8:18 a.m. “The death of one of them, aged 17 and known to the justice services, in particular for refusing to comply, was noted at 9:15 a.m. following at least one gunshot wound.” Another passenger, also a minor, was briefly placed in police custody to be interviewed and was released at the start of the afternoon, the Nanterre prosecutor’s office said. The third passenger, on the run, is still wanted.
The Nanterre public prosecutor’s office also announced to Release having opened two flagrant investigations, “one for “refusal to comply” and “attempted intentional homicide on a person holding public authority”, entrusted to the Nanterre police station and the Hauts-de-Seine territorial security”, as well as the second “for “intentional homicide by a person holding public authority”, entrusted to the IGPN”, the font of fonts.
Complaint for “intentional homicide”
Through the voice of one of their lawyers, Me Yassine Bouzrou, the family of the victim, Naël C., a 17-year-old delivery man, announces that they will file a complaint. “the coming days” For “voluntary homicide” against the police officer who fired the shot. “His intention to kill is beyond doubt since it results from the soundtrack of the video he announces before his shooting “I’m going to put a bullet in your head”advances Yassine Bouzrou to Freed. The complaint will also cover, for “complicity in intentional homicide” the second policeman, “who seems to be ordering his colleague to fire by saying “shoot him” just before the shot”, adds the lawyer.
A second complaint for “false in public writing” will be filed against the police “who claimed that the young man had attempted to commit homicide on their person by trying to ram them”which, according to the family lawyer, is “formally denied” by watching the video. Yassine Bouzrou will also apply for expatriation with immediate divestiture of the Nanterre prosecutor’s office, judging that he would have opened “an investigation based on false accusations”.
“Summary Execution”
After the video was broadcast on social networks, political reactions quickly multiplied. On the left, we denounce a “summary execution”. “A refusal to comply cannot be a death sentence. For no one. Never”, wrote MP EE-LV on Twitter Sandrine Rousseau. On the side of La France insoumise, Manuel Bompard also pointed out that “death is not part of the penalties provided for by the penal code” for a refusal to comply. For LFI deputy Thomas Portes, “here it is a summary execution by a policeman without this one being in danger”. “The police can only shoot if absolutely necessary. However, no life seems to be in danger on this video., also pointed to the elected LFI of the North David Guiraud.
“Upset by the death of the young man, Patrick Jarry, mayor of Nanterre, for his part expressed his most sincere condolences to his mother as well as to his family and loved ones. He wants the investigations opened […] make it possible to shed light as quickly as possible on the exact circumstances of this tragedy”, City Hall wrote in a statement. “Shocked” by video, the mayor “calls on each and every one to restraint and dignity, despite the legitimate emotion aroused by this tragedy”continues the text.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed on Twitter that“Following the death this morning, in Nanterre, of a young driver controlled by two police officers, the IGPN was seized to shed full light on the circumstances of this tragedy”. Questioned during questions to the government, the minister mentioned “extremely shocking images” of which “we don’t know the exact conditions”. “It is a tragedy that this young man of 17 is dead”added Gérald Darmanin, who wants “to have as quickly as possible” the results of the IGPN survey. If the minister is not “not a judge or public prosecutor”he claims that the policeman “will have to account for his actions”.
The prefect of police of Paris, Laurent Nuñez, meanwhile said “arrested” by the gesture of the policeman: “He is a 38-year-old police officer who is himself very shocked by this tragedy.” On the set of BFM TV, the prefect of police added that the police were “currently heard by justice”.
According to a police source, the police officers involved are members of the Hauts-de-Seine territorial traffic and road safety company. The latter is part, with the service of motorcycling companies in Paris and its counterparts in Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-de-Marne, of the regional motorcycling division of the Directorate of Public Order and Traffic, within of the police headquarters.
In 2022, twelve people were killed by the police while driving or being passengers in a vehicle.
Update : at 5:28 p.m., with statements from the victim’s family attorney.
Update : at 7:16 p.m., with the last press release from the Nanterre prosecutor’s office indicating the placement in police custody for “voluntary homicide” of a police officer.