(VOVWORLD) -Riots broke out in the city of Nanterre and surrounding areas in the western suburbs of Paris on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning following a fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old boy during a traffic stop.
Groups of protesters, mainly young people, gathered in front of the Nanterre police station, smashing billboards and bus stops, burning cars and construction materials, and clashing with police. The French Interior Ministry sent 1,200 additional policemen to the scene, who used tear gas to suppress the rioters and detained at least 24 people. Mayor of Nanterre Patrick Jarry said:
“The city of Nanterre is shocked, damaged, broken, and full of fear at the rising violence. We share the grief of the victim's family. We want justice and will get justice by mobilising peacefully. Nanterre has always been united and cannot be caught up in unending violence.”
The violence spread to neighboring areas and tensions increased in several cities, including Nantes, Lille, Lyon, and Toulouse.
During a visit to Marseille on Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron called the shooting death “inexcusable” and pleaded for calm while justice takes its course.