Protesters clash with riot officers at march for killed teenager in France

People take part in a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

PARIS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- French security forces on Thursday deployed tear gas as they clashed with protesters during a rally triggered by the fatal shooting of Nahel M, a 17-year-old teenager, by a police officer during a traffic stop on Tuesday.

The march in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, was proceeding peacefully at first, with Nahel's mother leading the crowd. But later, some protesters began throwing projectiles at police outside the main local administration building in Nanterre, and security forces then dispersed the protest by firing tear gas, according to local media reports. Burning vehicles were also seen in the streets during a march.

Earlier on Thursday, Nanterre Prosecutor Pascal Prache held a press conference detailing the circumstances of Nahel's death. He said that French police officers had made two attempts to make a Polish-licensed Mercedes pull over, but the driver refused to comply.

The police officer who fired his gun later told investigators that he had acted for fear of the car causing a fatal accident.

According to Prache, however, preliminary investigations indicate that the police officer's use of his gun was not "justified".

The prosecutor's office is therefore expected to charge the police officer in question with intentional homicide, he added.

Tuesday's shooting triggered violent protests on Wednesday throughout France, which led to the police arresting some 150 people in major French cities.

To avoid further violence, Valerie Pecresse, the president of the Ile-de-France region, announced that buses and tramways would not be running in the region Thursday night after 9 p.m.

People take part in a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

A man throws a stone at security forces during a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

Nahel's mother is seen during a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

A man throws a stone at security forces during a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

A man kicks back a tear gas canister fired by security forces during a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

A man clashes with policemen during a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

A protester confronts policemen during a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

People take part in a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

People take part in a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

People take part in a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)

A man kicks back a tear gas canister fired by security forces during a protest in Nanterre, a town on the western outskirts of Paris, France, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aurelien Morissard/Xinhua)