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On 27 June 2023, '''Nahel Merzouk''' (25 February 2006 – 27 June 2023),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deces.matchid.io/id/UvTdk72G0lTn|title=matchID - Moteur de recherche des décès|website=deces.matchid.io|access-date=19 July 2023|archive-date=13 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713145437/https://deces.matchid.io/id/UvTdk72G0lTn|url-status=live}}</ref> a 17-year-old [[French people|French]] youth of [[Morocco|Moroccan]] and [[Algeria]]n descent,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Catherine |date=29 June 2023 |title=Who is Nahel Merzouk? |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/world/europe/nahel-france-police-shooting-nanterre.html |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701042042/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/world/europe/nahel-france-police-shooting-nanterre.html |archive-date=1 July 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> was shot at [[point-blank range]] and killed by police officer Florian MenesplierM., when he didn'tdid not comply with aan requestorder to turn off ignitionstop and instead attempted to drive away in [[Nanterre]], a suburb of [[Paris]], [[France]]. Initial reporting on the incident (informed by police statements) was later contradicted by a video posted online, which led to [[Nahel Merzouk riots|widespread protests and riots]]. Symbols of the state such as town halls, schools, police stations, and other buildings were attacked.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 July 2023 |title=Death of Nahel M.: Over 1,300 arrested during Friday night riots |work=[[Le Monde]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] & [[Agence France-Presse]] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/01/riots-continue-into-friday-night-throughout-france-with-hundreds-more-arrested_6040540_7.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701214057/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/01/riots-continue-into-friday-night-throughout-france-with-hundreds-more-arrested_6040540_7.html |archive-date=1 July 2023}}</ref> The [[Interior Ministry (France)|Interior Ministry]] reported that more than 5,000 vehicles had been set on fire, along with 10,000 garbage cans; nearly 1,000 buildings had been burnt, damaged or looted; 250 police stations and [[gendarmerie]]s had been attacked; and more than 700 police officers had been injured.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Antoine |last1=Albertini |first2=Luc |last2=Bronner |title=Riots in France: The appalling toll of days and nights of looting, fires, assaults |work=[[Le Monde]] |date=3 July 2023 |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/03/looting-fires-assaults-the-appalling-toll-of-five-days-and-nights-of-rioting-in-france_6042014_7.html |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705030132/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2023/07/03/looting-fires-assaults-the-appalling-toll-of-five-days-and-nights-of-rioting-in-france_6042014_7.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="riots-shake-france"/>
The killing—condemned by President [[Emmanuel Macron]] as "inexplicable" and "inexcusable"<ref>{{cite news |author=M. I. |agency=AFP |title=Mineur tué à Nanterre : Macron évoque un acte " inexplicable " et " inexcusable " |language=fr |trans-title=Minor killed in Nanterre: Macron evokes an "inexplicable" and "inexcusable" act |url=https://www.lepoint.fr/politique/mineur-tue-a-nanterre-macron-evoque-un-acte-inexplicable-et-inexcusable-28-06-2023-2526553_20.php#11 |access-date=15 July 2023 |publisher=Le Point |date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713004306/https://www.lepoint.fr/politique/mineur-tue-a-nanterre-macron-evoque-un-acte-inexplicable-et-inexcusable-28-06-2023-2526553_20.php#11 |archive-date=13 July 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>—became part of a broader public debate regarding aggressive French law enforcement,<ref name="sorrow">{{Cite news |last1=Breeden |first1=Aurelien |last2=Méheut |first2=Constant |date=28 June 2023 |title=Protests and Sorrow After Fatal Police Traffic Encounter in France |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/world/europe/france-police-shooting-paris-nanterre.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630013949/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/28/world/europe/france-police-shooting-paris-nanterre.html |archive-date=30 June 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[racial profiling]],<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/02/france-nahel-soccer-hijab.html |title=A Fatal Shooting and a Hijab Ban: Two Faces of France's Racial Divisions |last=Porter |first=Catherine |date=2 July 2023 |quote=In 2017, an investigation by France’s civil liberties ombudsman, the Défenseur des Droits, found that “young men perceived to be Black or Arab” were 20 times as likely to be subjected to police identity checks compared with the rest of the population. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712025834/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/02/france-nahel-soccer-hijab.html |archive-date=12 July 2023 |access-date=15 July 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> immigration,<ref>{{Cite news |work=Public Sénat |title=Sécurité, immigration : le tournant identitaire de LR embarrasse la majorité sénatoriale |last=Barbarit |first=Simon |language=fr |url=https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/politique/securite-immigration-le-tournant-identitaire-de-lr-embarrasse-la-majorite-senatoriale |date=11 July 2023 |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724085609/https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/politique/securite-immigration-le-tournant-identitaire-de-lr-embarrasse-la-majorite-senatoriale |url-status=live }}</ref> and the stakes of naming the subsequent suburban violence a "riotrioting" rather than a "revoltrevolts".<ref name="revolt or riot">{{Cite news |newspaper=Ouest France |title=Mort de Nahel. Violences, révolte… Pourquoi l'expression " émeute " s'est imposée |last=Lescarmontier |first=Julie |date=5 July 2023 |language=fr |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/faits-divers/emeutes-urbaines/mort-de-nahel-violences-revolte-pourquoi-lexpression-emeute-sest-imposee-c39ab18e-1b06-11ee-9805-48f2f86dced9 |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=12 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712040653/https://www.ouest-france.fr/faits-divers/emeutes-urbaines/mort-de-nahel-violences-revolte-pourquoi-lexpression-emeute-sest-imposee-c39ab18e-1b06-11ee-9805-48f2f86dced9 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 28 June, the president of the [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]], [[Yaël Braun-Pivet]], asked deputies "to respect a minute of silence in Nahel's memory".<ref>{{Cite news |work=LCI |date=28 June 2023 |language=fr |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejPv7ZZbnTY |title=Une minute de silence à l'Assemblée nationale pour Nahel, tué à Nanterre |access-date=28 July 2023 |archive-date=28 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728104559/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejPv7ZZbnTY |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=France braces for protests after 'unforgivable' police shooting |agency=AFP |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230628-protests-flare-up-in-france-after-police-shoot-teenager |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629054751/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230628-protests-flare-up-in-france-after-police-shoot-teenager |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=[[France 24]] |language=en}}</ref>
== Background ==
== Victim ==
'''Nahel Merzouk''' ({{IPA|fr|naɛl mɛʁzuk}}; {{lang-langx|ar|نايل مرزوق}}) was a 17-year-old enrolled at the Lycée Louis-Blériot in [[Suresnes]], where he attended classes for six months before dropping out and working as a pizza delivery driver in Nanterre.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Cyril |last=Brioulet |date=28 June 2023 |url=https://www.ladepeche.fr/2023/06/28/nahel-tue-a-nanterre-par-un-policier-livreur-de-pizzas-joueur-de-rugby-sans-casier-qui-etait-ladolescent-11307071.php |title=Nahel, tué à Nanterre par un policier : joueur de rugby, livreur de pizzas, sans casier... qui était l'adolescent? |trans-title=Nahel, killed in Nanterre by a policeman: rugby player, pizza delivery man, no record... who was the teenager? |website=[[La Dépêche du Midi]] |language=fr |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629183313/https://www.ladepeche.fr/2023/06/28/nahel-tue-a-nanterre-par-un-policier-livreur-de-pizzas-joueur-de-rugby-sans-casier-qui-etait-ladolescent-11307071.php |url-status=live}}</ref> He did not have a driving license allowing him to drive the rented Mercedes he died in.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title=Rugby, livreur, justice…: qui était Nahel, 17 ans, tué par un policier mardi à Nanterre |url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345932/article/2023-06-28/rugby-livreur-justice-qui-etait-nael-17-ans-tue-par-un-policier-mardi-nanterre |access-date=30 June 2023 |website=[[La Voix du Nord (daily)|La Voix du Nord]] |language=fr |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629010447/https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345932/article/2023-06-28/rugby-livreur-justice-qui-etait-nael-17-ans-tue-par-un-policier-mardi-nanterre |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lepoivre |first=Ambre |title=Refus d'obtempérer, conduite sans permis, stupéfiants: Nahel était connu au fichier des antécédents judiciaires |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/refus-d-obtemperer-conduite-sans-permis-stupefiants-l-adolescent-tue-a-nanterre-etait-connu-au-fichier-des-antecedents-judiciaires-20230629 |access-date=16 September 2023 |work=[[Le Figaro]] |date=29 June 2023 |language=fr |quote=qu'il conduisait sans permis}}</ref> According to a paramedic who knew him, his father left his mother before he was born.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 June 2023 |title="C'était ma vie" : la mère de Nahel, tué par un policier, anéantie après la mort de son fils unique |trans-title="He was my life": The mother of Nahel devastated after the killing of her only son by police |url=https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345899/article/2023-06-28/adolescent-tue-par-un-policier-la-mere-de-nael-exprime-son-chagrin-apres-la-mort |access-date=30 June 2023 |website=[[La Voix du Nord (daily)|La Voix du Nord]] |language=fr |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628095230/https://www.lavoixdunord.fr/1345899/article/2023-06-28/adolescent-tue-par-un-policier-la-mere-de-nael-exprime-son-chagrin-apres-la-mort |url-status=live}}</ref>
According to his family's lawyers, Merzouk had no criminal record but the prosecutor confirmed he was "known to police",<ref name="riots-shake-france">{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Lough|title=Paris police shooting: why are there riots in France? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/riots-shake-france-after-police-shoot-teenager-2023-06-29/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630024903/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/riots-shake-france-after-police-shoot-teenager-2023-06-29/ |archive-date=30 June 2023 |quote=He was known to police for previous incidents in which he failed to comply with traffic stops, the local prosecutor Pascal Prache said. }}</ref> particularly for resisting arrest, and had been charged with resisting arrest the previous weekend and five times since 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 2023 |title=France shooting: Who was Nahel M, shot by French police in Nanterre? |first=Paul |last=Kirby |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66052104 |access-date=30 June 2023 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630003658/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66052104 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=27 June 2023 |title=A Nanterre, un ado de 17 ans tué par la police lors d'un contrôle routier : ce que l'on sait des faits |trans-title=In Nanterre, a 17-year-old teenager killed by the police during a traffic check: what we know about the facts |language=fr |work=[[Le Nouvel Observateur]] |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/faits-divers/20230627.OBS75039/ado-de-17-ans-tue-par-la-police-apres-un-controle-routier-ce-que-l-on-sait-des-faits.html |access-date=30 June 2023 |quote=il était « connu des services de la justice notamment pour refus d'obtempérer » [...] avait été déféré au parquet de Nanterre le week-end dernier, pour refus d'obtempérer [...] Il avait également été mis en cause pour un autres refus d'obtempérer en 2022 |trans-quote=he was "known to the justice services, in particular for refusing to comply" [...] had been referred to the Nanterre prosecutor's office last weekend, for refusing to comply [...] He had also been placed in cause for another refusal to comply in 2022 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629181837/https://www.nouvelobs.com/faits-divers/20230627.OBS75039/ado-de-17-ans-tue-par-la-police-apres-un-controle-routier-ce-que-l-on-sait-des-faits.html |url-status=live}}</ref> According to information leaked to ''[[Europe 1]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |website=Mediapart |last1=Philippin |last2=Rouget |first1=Yann |first2=Antton |title=Un pilier d'Europe 1, ex de " Valeurs actuelles ", dans la main des barbouzes des Émirats |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/100723/un-pilier-d-europe-1-ex-de-valeurs-actuelles-dans-la-main-des-barbouzes-des-emirats |date=10 July 2023 |language=fr |quote=À Europe 1, c’est lui [Louis de Raguenel] qui a révélé le 28 juin dernier, « de sources policières », les antécédents mentionnés dans le fichier de la police au sujet de Nahel, l’adolescent tué par un policier à Nanterre – un classique visant à tenter de criminaliser la victime. |access-date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711185243/https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/100723/un-pilier-d-europe-1-ex-de-valeurs-actuelles-dans-la-main-des-barbouzes-des-emirats |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |newspaper=Libération |language=fr |last=Pezet |first=Jacques |date=28 June 2023 |url=https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/mort-de-nahel-a-nanterre-polemique-autour-du-casier-judiciaire-de-ladolescent-tue-par-la-police-20230628_YB7EPVLKEBBA3E4I36LGWJYF6Y |title=Mort de Nahel à Nanterre : polémique autour du casier judiciaire de l'adolescent tué par la police |access-date=27 July 2023 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711075858/https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/mort-de-nahel-a-nanterre-polemique-autour-du-casier-judiciaire-de-ladolescent-tue-par-la-police-20230628_YB7EPVLKEBBA3E4I36LGWJYF6Y/ |url-status=live }}</ref> his police file ([[:fr:Traitement d'antécédents judiciaires|TAJ]]) included 15 recorded incidents, including the use of false license plates and driving without insurance.<ref>{{cite news |first=Louis de |last=Raguenel |date=29 June 2023 |title=Mort de Nahel : l'adolescent connu pour 15 mentions au fichier des antécédents judiciaires |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the teenager known for 15 mentions in the criminal history file |language=fr |work=[[Europe 1]] |url=https://www.europe1.fr/faits-divers/info-europe-1-mort-de-nahel-ladolescent-connu-pour-15-mentions-au-fichier-des-antecedents-judiciaires-4191433 |access-date=30 June 2023 |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629235208/https://www.europe1.fr/faits-divers/info-europe-1-mort-de-nahel-ladolescent-connu-pour-15-mentions-au-fichier-des-antecedents-judiciaires-4191433 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ Edition 1 (W177) rear.jpg|thumb|A yellow [[Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W177)]], similar to the one driven by Merzouk]]
[[File:Hommage Nahel lieu deces IMG 20230629 084900.jpg|thumb|Nelson Mandela Square in Nanterre after the killing|left]]
[[File:Hommage_Nahel_lieu_deces_-_IMG_20230704_090039.jpg|thumb|Sign at Nelson Mandela Square: «Combien de Nahel n'ont pas été filmés ?!?» (How many Nahels have not been filmed?)]]According to the public prosecutor of [[Nanterre]], two [[Paris Police Prefecture]] motorcycle officers noticed a [[Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W177)|Mercedes-Benz A Class]] AMG with a Polish license plate driving at high speed in a bus lane, driven by a young-looking person at around 7:55{{nbsp}}am. The officers activated their warning signals (audible and visual) and indicated to the driver of the car, then stationary at a red traffic light, to stop. The vehicle started moving and ran the red light. The officers followed the car and alerted their superiors via radio. The car committed multiple traffic violations, endangering a pedestrian and a cyclist.
Due to traffic congestion, the vehicle was eventually forced to stop. The police officers got off their motorcycles, pointed their guns at the driver, and ordered him to turn off the engine. Instead, the vehicle started to pull away, and one of the police officers, 38-year-old Florian Menesplier, working his ninth consecutive day without a day off,M. fired a shot at the driver at point-blank range. The vehicle continued forward before crashing into the street sign marking the Nelson Mandela Square<ref>{{Cite web |last=Machecourt |first=Clément |date=28 June 2023 |title=Mort de Nahel : Malgré les appels au calme, Nanterre craint une nouvelle nuit de violences |url=https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/nanterre_92050/mort-de-nahel-malgre-les-appels-au-calme-nanterre-craint-une-nouvelle-nuit-de-violences_59789630.html |language=fr |website=actu.fr |quote=Le panneau « Place Nelson-Mandela » penché témoigne du choc de la voiture qui y a terminé sa course. |access-date=24 July 2023 |archive-date=24 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724015820/https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/nanterre_92050/mort-de-nahel-malgre-les-appels-au-calme-nanterre-craint-une-nouvelle-nuit-de-violences_59789630.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Mort de Nahel M. : les premières constatations de l'enquête |trans-title=Death of Nahel M.: the first findings of the investigation |newspaper=[[Le Monde]] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/07/05/mort-de-nahel-m-les-premieres-constatations-de-l-enquete_6180715_3224.html |last1=Albertini |last2=Bronner |first1=Antoine |first2=Luc |date=5 July 2023 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720004025/https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/07/05/mort-de-nahel-m-les-premieres-constatations-de-l-enquete_6180715_3224.html |archive-date=20 July 2023 |access-date=19 July 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> at 8:19{{nbsp}}am. The rear passenger was arrested when he exited the vehicle. The front right passenger fled. Florian M. provided first aid to the driver, who was pronounced dead at 9:15{{nbsp}}am.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=29 June 2023 |date=29 June 2023 |language=fr |title=En direct : une information judiciaire pour homicide volontaire ouverte après la mort de Nahel |trans-title=Live: a judicial investigation for voluntary homicide opened after the death of Nahel |url=https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20230629-%F0%9F%94%B4-en-direct-la-conf%C3%A9rence-de-presse-du-procureur-de-nanterre-sur-la-mort-de-nahel |work=[[France 24]] |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629090936/https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20230629-%F0%9F%94%B4-en-direct-la-conf%C3%A9rence-de-presse-du-procureur-de-nanterre-sur-la-mort-de-nahel |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Esther |last=Paolini |access-date=29 June 2023 |date=29 June 2023 |language=fr |title=Mort de Nahel : le récit de la course-poursuite, minute par minute |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the story of the chase, minute by minute |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/mort-de-nahel-le-recit-de-la-course-poursuite-minute-par-minute-20230629 |website=[[Le Figaro]] |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629115630/https://www.lefigaro.fr/faits-divers/mort-de-nahel-le-recit-de-la-course-poursuite-minute-par-minute-20230629 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=30 June 2023 |date=29 June 2023 |work=[[BFM TV]] |title=Mort de Nahel: le procureur de Nanterre détaille le déroulé des faits |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the Nanterre prosecutor details the course of events |language=fr |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-procureur-de-nanterre-detaille-le-deroule-des-faits_VN-202306290383.html |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630020443/https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-procureur-de-nanterre-detaille-le-deroule-des-faits_VN-202306290383.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
Police records indicate that Merzouk was known for previous incidents in which he failed to comply with [[traffic stop]]s.<ref name="riots-shake-france"/> On the day of his death, it is alleged that he "disobeyed and committed several traffic offences, endangering the lives of a pedestrian and a cyclist", and refused to turn off the ignition. Police shot Merzouk when the Mercedes began moving forward after it had been stopped.<ref name="riots-shake-france" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=French police accused of killing boy: What do we know about the case? |first=Hannah |last=Thompson |url=https://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/French-police-accused-of-killing-boy-What-do-we-know-about-the-case |access-date=5 July 2023 |date=28 June 2023 |newspaper=The Connexion |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628203324/http://www.connexionfrance.com/article/French-news/French-police-accused-of-killing-boy-What-do-we-know-about-the-case |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=France to deploy 40,000 officers amid protests after fatal police shooting of teen driver |first=N'dea |last=Yancey-Bragg |date=29 June 2023 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/06/29/protests-continue-france-police-shooting-officers-deployed/70368157007/ |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=[[USA TODAY]] |language=en-US |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630102624/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/06/29/protests-continue-france-police-shooting-officers-deployed/70368157007/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
The use of firearms by the police, during traffic controls in the event of failure to comply, is currently regulated by a law adopted in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=France riots: Why are police using guns during traffic stops? |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66066438 |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630223232/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66066438 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Did a law to fight terrorism give French police too much licence to shoot? |date=30 June 2023 |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230630-security-law-to-fight-terrorism-french-police-too-much-licence-to-shoot |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701193143/https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20230630-security-law-to-fight-terrorism-french-police-too-much-licence-to-shoot |url-status=live}}</ref>
Authorities arrested MenesplierFlorian M. on suspicion of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority".<ref name="riots-shake-france" /> Police unions complained against the arrest. [[Minister of the Interior (France)|Minister of the Interior]] [[Gérald Darmanin]] said he would seek the dissolution of a small far-right union, Syndicat France Police, which welcomed the shooting of Merzouk.<ref>{{cite news |author=AFP |title=French Police Union Calls Rioters 'Vermin' |date=30 June 2023 |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/french-police-union-calls-rioters-vermin-f10740ea |access-date=28 July 2023 |work=www.barrons.com |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630155601/https://www.barrons.com/news/french-police-union-calls-rioters-vermin-f10740ea |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nicematin.com/faits-de-societe/compte-twitter-suspendu-plaintes-deposees-on-vous-explique-la-polemique-autour-du-syndicat-france-police-apres-la-mort-de-nahel-857990|title=Compte Twitter suspendu, plaintes déposées: on vous explique la polémique autour du "Syndicat France Police" après la mort de Nahel|date=30 June 2023|website=Nice-Matin|access-date=28 July 2023|archive-date=19 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719114234/https://www.nicematin.com/faits-de-societe/compte-twitter-suspendu-plaintes-deposees-on-vous-explique-la-polemique-autour-du-syndicat-france-police-apres-la-mort-de-nahel-857990|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Police version challenged by a video ===
According to the police, MenesplierFlorian M. fired his weapon as the young driver was about to run him over.<ref>{{cite web |access-date=28 June 2023 |date=27 June 2023 |first1=Caroline |first2=Julien |language=fr-FR |last1=Piquet |last2=Constant |title=Adolescent tué à Nanterre par un tir policier : " On veut la vérité et on la veut vite ", réagit le maire |trans-title=Teenager killed in Nanterre by police shooting: "We want the truth and we want it quickly", reacts the mayor |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/nanterre-un-homme-tue-par-un-tir-de-la-police-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-27-06-2023-NUHSC3W3X5GYDGWDXCA36APNUU.php |website=[[Le Parisien]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627223434/https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/nanterre-un-homme-tue-par-un-tir-de-la-police-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-27-06-2023-NUHSC3W3X5GYDGWDXCA36APNUU.php |archive-date=27 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> This version, citing self-defense, was challenged after the publication of a video showing that the car was not in a position to harm the police officers and was not heading towards them.<ref name=":02"/><ref>{{cite web |access-date=29 June 2023 |date=28 June 2023 |first=Noémie |language=fr |last=Lair |title=Adolescent tué à Nanterre : ce que l'on sait de la vidéo qui met à mal la version des policiers |trans-title=Teenager killed in Nanterre: what we know about the video that undermines the version of the police |url=https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/adolescent-tue-a-nanterre-ce-que-l-on-sait-de-la-video-qui-met-a-mal-la-version-des-policiers-1888941 |website=[[France Inter]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628195002/https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/adolescent-tue-a-nanterre-ce-que-l-on-sait-de-la-video-qui-met-a-mal-la-version-des-policiers-1888941 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |access-date=28 June 2023 |date=8 September 2022 |language=fr |title=Mort après un refus d'obtempérer à Nice : une vidéo fragilise la version d'un syndicat de police |trans-title=Death after a refusal to comply in Nice: a video weakens the version of a police union |url=https://www.francelive.fr/article/france-live/mort-apres-un-refus-d-obtemperer-a-nice-une-video-fragilise-la-version-d-un-syndicat-de-police-7598612/ |first=Samuel |last=Grée |website=[[Francelive]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628090459/https://www.francelive.fr/article/france-live/mort-apres-un-refus-d-obtemperer-a-nice-une-video-fragilise-la-version-d-un-syndicat-de-police-7598612/ |archive-date=28 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to ''[[Le Monde]]'', "the 50-second sequence, which has gone viral on social media, has literally swept away the language elements initially disseminated by police sources and repeated by some media." The video shows that the two police officers were on the driver's side of the Mercedes. The car was moving off when the officer fired the shot at point-blank range.<ref name="auto"/>
=== Version from the third passenger ===
== Investigation ==
Florian MenesplierM. is under investigation for [[manslaughter]] and was placed in custody for the charge of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority".<ref name=":6" /><ref name="auto">{{Cite news |first=Antoine |last=Albertini |date=28 June 2023 |title=Adolescent tué par un policier à Nanterre : l'agent en garde à vue, nuit de colère et de tension dans les Hauts-de-Seine |trans-title=Teenager killed by a policeman in Nanterre: the agent in police custody, night of anger and tension in the Hauts-de-Seine |language=fr |work=[[Le Monde]] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/06/28/nanterre-un-policier-en-garde-a-vue-apres-la-mort-d-un-mineur-de-17-ans-incidents-entre-habitants-et-forces-de-l-ordre_6179501_3224.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630012150/https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/06/28/nanterre-un-policier-en-garde-a-vue-apres-la-mort-d-un-mineur-de-17-ans-incidents-entre-habitants-et-forces-de-l-ordre_6179501_3224.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The police have maintained that the shooting was an act of self-defense, as they argue that Merzouk was driving towards the officer.<ref name="auto" /> However, since the video was released, this claim has faced significant criticism.<ref name=":9" /> Yassine Bouzrou, a lawyer representing Merzouk, has stated that the video completely disproves this assertion and alleges that the brigadier{{efn|Brigadier is a [[Police ranks of France|French police rank]] equivalent to [[sergeant]].}} had an "intention to kill".<ref name=":9" /> Other lawyers representing Merzouk have made similar remarks.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |title=Paris: Unrest suburb after police kill a 17-year-old |date=28 June 2023 |agency=dpa, AP, AFP |url=https://www.dw.com/en/paris-unrest-in-suburb-after-police-kill-a-17-year-old/a-66050863 |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=en |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628223204/https://www.dw.com/en/paris-unrest-suburb-after-police-kill-a-17-year-old/a-66050863 |url-status=live}}</ref>
Two investigations have been initiated: "refusal to comply" against Merzouk, and "voluntary homicide by a person in authority" against MenesplierFlorian M. The latter investigation has been assigned to the General Inspectorate of the National Police ([[IGPN]]).<ref>{{Cite web |first=David |last=Montagné |agency=AFP |date=28 June 2023 |title=Jeune homme tué à Nanterre après un refus d'obtempérer : après le drame, deux enquêtes ouvertes |trans-title=Young man killed in Nanterre after refusing to comply: after the tragedy, two investigations opened |url=https://www.europe1.fr/societe/jeune-homme-tue-a-nanterre-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-apres-le-drame-deux-enquetes-ouvertes-4191285 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=[[Europe 1]] |language=fr |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629133927/https://www.europe1.fr/societe/jeune-homme-tue-a-nanterre-apres-un-refus-dobtemperer-apres-le-drame-deux-enquetes-ouvertes-4191285 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |work=[[BFM TV]] |title=Mort de Naël: deux plaintes vont être déposées contre les policiers, annoncent les avocats de la famille de la victime |trans-title=Death of Naël: two complaints will be filed against the police, announce the lawyers for the victim's family |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nael-deux-plaintes-vont-etre-deposees-contre-les-policiers-annoncent-les-avocats-de-la-famille-de-la-victime_VN-202306280333.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |language=fr |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629193843/https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nael-deux-plaintes-vont-etre-deposees-contre-les-policiers-annoncent-les-avocats-de-la-famille-de-la-victime_VN-202306280333.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
== Trial ==
{{See also|Nahel Merzouk riots}}
On 3 June 2025, it was announced that Florian M. would go on trial in 2026 for the murder of Nahel Merzouk. It is expected to begin in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2026 per the [[Nanterre]] prosecutors office.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-06-03 |title=French police officer to go on trial for murder of teenager |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/french-police-officer-go-trial-murder-teenager-2025-06-03/ |access-date=2025-06-03 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>
== Initial reactions ==
The [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] asked France to address systemic racism within its police forces, and called for the protests to be peaceful.<ref>{{cite news |first=Gabrielle |last=Tétrault-Farber |title=UN says France fatal shooting an opportunity to address racism in law enforcement |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/un-says-france-fatal-shooting-an-opportunity-address-racism-law-enforcement-2023-06-30/ |access-date=1 July 2023 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=30 June 2023 |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630152415/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/un-says-france-fatal-shooting-an-opportunity-address-racism-law-enforcement-2023-06-30/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=UN rights office calls on France to address 'deep issues' of racism in policing |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1138247 |website=[[United Nations]] |access-date=1 July 2023 |language=en |date=30 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630164101/https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1138247 |url-status=live}}</ref><!--cited for the agency's full name-->
A fundraiser on [[GoFundMe]] for the officer's family was set up by the [[French far-right|far-right]] politician [[Jean Messiha]]. When it closed on 4 July, it had raised €1,636,200, far greater than the €200,000 raised in support of Merzouk's family. the officer's family will receive €625,000 after taxation and platform fees.<ref>{{cite news |title=France riots: €1m donated to policeman who killed Nahel Merzouk |url=https://www.thetimes.co.ukcom/world/europe/article/stop-rioting-nahel-merzouks-grandmother-tells-france-80vcxtzll |first=Charles |last=Bremner |date=3 July 2023 |work=[[The Times]] |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705030134/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stop-rioting-nahel-merzouks-grandmother-tells-france-80vcxtzll |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Maxence |last=D'Aversa |url=https://www.challenges.fr/politique/mort-de-nahel-la-famille-du-policier-devra-payer-pres-d-un-million-d-euros-d-impot-sur-les-dons_860873|title=Mort de Nahel : la famille du policier devra payer près d'1 million d'euros d'impôt|date=5 July 2023|website=Challenges|access-date=8 July 2023|archive-date=5 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705223724/https://www.challenges.fr/politique/mort-de-nahel-la-famille-du-policier-devra-payer-pres-d-un-million-d-euros-d-impot-sur-les-dons_860873|url-status=live}}</ref>
An article signed by more than one hundred personalities, including [[Angela Davis]], [[Achille Mbembe]], [[Thomas Piketty]], [[Annie Ernaux]], [[Eric Cantona]], [[Judith Butler]], [[Ken Loach]], [[Adèle Haenel]], [[Peter Gabriel]], and [[Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker]] was published in ''[[L'Humanité]]'', entitled "This time, everyone has seen" and calling for participation in the united march against police violence on July 15, 2023. They endorsed the demands of groups of families of victims and activist organizations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.humanite.fr/idees-debats-tribunes/mort-de-nahel/tribune-mort-de-nahel-cette-fois-tout-le-monde-vu-802823 |title=Tribune. Mort de Nahel : " Cette fois, tout le monde a vu " |date=2023-07-12 |website=L'Humanité|access-date=2023-07-30}}</ref>
By 29 June, over 150 people had been arrested,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Chrisafis |first1=Angelique |last2=Paris |first2=Angelique Chrisafisin |date=29 June 2023 |title=France police shooting: 150 arrests as protests widen over teenager's death |language=en-GB |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/29/france-police-shooting-second-night-of-unrest-as-protests-over-teenagers-death-spread |access-date=29 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630033240/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/29/france-police-shooting-second-night-of-unrest-as-protests-over-teenagers-death-spread |url-status=live}}</ref> 24 officers had been injured, and 40 cars had been torched.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":9" /> Fearing greater unrest, Darmanin deployed 1,200 riot police and [[gendarmes]] in and around Paris, later adding an additional 2,000.<ref name=":9" /><ref name="sorrow" /><ref name=":14" /> On 29 June, he announced that the government would deploy 40,000 troops nationwide.<ref>{{Cite news |title=France to deploy 40,000 officers in wake of riots |date=29 June 2023 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/france-teen-shooting-riots-live-updates/live-66064274 |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630020639/https://www.dw.com/en/france-teen-shooting-riots-live-updates/live-66064274 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to Darmanin, over 1,350 vehicles were set on fire, and over 1,300 arrests were made in connection with the riots.<ref name="TELEGRAPH">{{cite news |first=Roland |last=Oliphant |date=1 July 2023 |title=Police arrest 1,300 rioters in fourth night of violence ahead of slain teenager's funeral |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/07/01/police-arrest-1000-rioters-nahel-funeral-france-violence/ |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701094916/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/07/01/police-arrest-1000-rioters-nahel-funeral-france-violence/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
On the afternoon of June 29, thousands of people held a demonstration ("white march") led by mothers and activists in Nanterre demanding "justice for Nahel".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Foroudi |first1=Layli |last2=Olive |first2=Noemie |date=29 June 2023 |title=France unrest: Riots spread, thousands march in memory of shot teenager |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-150-arrests-overnight-unrest-after-teenager-killed-by-police-2023-06-29/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630030231/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-150-arrests-overnight-unrest-after-teenager-killed-by-police-2023-06-29/ |url-status=live}}</ref> held a [[White March|white march]] led by mothers and activists in Nanterre demanding "justice for Nahel". The participants railed against what they perceived as a culture of police impunity and a failure to reform law enforcement in a country that has experienced waves of rioting and protests over police conduct.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiM4CwTuBrA |title=Nahel : Marche Blanche et Colelère noire |date=2023-06-30 |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=BLAST, Le souffle de l'info |publisher=youtube.com |archive-date=29 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729203223/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiM4CwTuBrA |url-status=live }}</ref> A few hours later, the officer implicated in the killing, was indicted for intentional homicide and remanded in custody.<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Julien |last1=Lecot |first2=Ludovic |last2=Séré |first3=Stéphanie |last3=Maurice |first4=Théo |last4=Mouraby |url=https://www.liberation.fr/societe/apres-la-mort-de-nahel-la-france-en-voit-de-toutes-les-coleres-20230629_EG7I7TLZNNALXKQ62X3TJ6XSKM/ |title=Après la mort de Nahel, la France en voit de toutes les colères |date=2023-06-29 |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=Libération (in French). |archive-date=29 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729211617/https://www.liberation.fr/societe/apres-la-mort-de-nahel-la-france-en-voit-de-toutes-les-coleres-20230629_EG7I7TLZNNALXKQ62X3TJ6XSKM/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also==
* [[2007 Villiers-le-Bel riots]] following the deaths of Moushin S., 15, and Larami S., 16
* [[2009 French riots]] following the death of Mohamed Benmouna, 21
* [[2025 Paris Saint-Germain celebration riots]]
== Notes ==
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:2020s in Île-de-France]]
[[Category:June 2023 events in France]]
[[Category:Deaths by person in Paris]]
[[Category:Deaths by person in France]]
[[Category:History of Hauts-de-Seine]]
[[Category:Nanterre]]
[[Category:Police brutality in Europe]]
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