The civil unrest in France that followed the police killing of a teenager has resulted in increased deployment of police forces and a significant number of arrests. According to ABC News, approximately 4,500 police officers have been deployed across the country in response to the ongoing riots, which have now entered their sixth day. The protests and demonstrations have been marked by clashes between protesters and law enforcement. The authorities have made more than 1,300 arrests in connection with the unrest, as they seek to maintain public order and address the grievances expressed by the protesters.
The video footage of Merzouk’s encounter with law enforcement captures the moment when he was in the driver’s seat of the vehicle with two armed officers at his window. The officer who fired his weapon stated that he did so out of fear that the teenager would endanger pedestrians while attempting to escape. Following the incident, the officer has been placed on leave, by department protocol, and an investigation into his actions has been initiated. The investigation will aim to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and whether it was justified according to the applicable laws and regulations.
Merzouk was laid to rest on July 1st at Mont Valérien after a funeral service was held at a mosque in his hometown.