Rabat – A young man tragically lost his life on Friday during the overnight riots that have engulfed the northern French city of Rouen, as well as other cities, fueled by the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Nahel by a police officer.
Local authorities have confirmed that the incident occurred when the individual fell from the roof of a supermarket in the suburb of Petit-Quevilly, within the Bruyeres shopping center, during a period of unrest, Reuters reported.
The news outlet quoted a police source as saying that the man fell from the roof while the supermarket was reportedly being looted by rioters. However, the public prosecution office, in an earlier statement to BFMTV, stated that, based on their ongoing investigation, it had not been definitively established whether the store had indeed been subject to a looting attempt.
Meanwhile, Le Monde reported that the man, around 20-years-old, crashed through the mall’s roof while attempting to break into the supermarket, sustaining serious injuries that led to his death.
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The ongoing riots have led to escalating violence and chaos across various French cities, including Paris, Montpellier, Lyon, and Toulouse, among others.
In addition, the protests have caused extensive damage to public and private property, with the French Ministry of Interior saying that, during the night from Friday to Saturday, 1,350 vehicles were set on fire, 234 buildings were either burned or vandalized, while 2,560 fires were reported on public thoroughfares.
Shocking videos have been circulating on the internet featuring violent clashes between police and demonstrators, as well as incidents of arson and vandalism.
Authorities and law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to regain control and restore order, having deployed around 45,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country.
French police’s killing of Nahel, who is of Algerian and Moroccan descent, has spread a wave of anger and frustration among citizens, who voiced their demands for justice and accountability.
