Killing of Nahel Merzouk

{{See also|Crime in France|Law enforcement in France}}

File:Justice pour Nahel.jpg

France saw a rise in police violence in France in the years before the killing.{{Cite news |date=27 June 2023 |title=Tensions erupt in a Paris suburb after a 17-year-old Arab man of Algerian descent, a delivery driver, is killed in a police standoff |url=https://apnews.com/article/france-driver-killed-police-tensions-2030c42cce9c24153d395a07d8e95b75 |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629001623/https://apnews.com/article/france-driver-killed-police-tensions-2030c42cce9c24153d395a07d8e95b75 |url-status=live}} In 2017, a law was passed permitting police to shoot at a vehicle fleeing a traffic stop, if the driver was putting the passengers or passersby at risk. This shooting was the third fatal shooting that occurred during a traffic stop in France in 2023. In 2020, there were three deaths, followed by two in 2021, and 13 in 2022,{{cite web |website=Public Sénat |language=fr |first=Simon |last=Barbarit |url=https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/politique/refus-dobtemperer-la-porte-parole-de-la-police-nationale-annonce-138-tirs-en-2022 |title=Refus d'obtempérer: la porte-parole de la police nationale annonce 138 tirs en 2022 |trans-title=Refusal to comply: the spokesperson for the national police announces 138 shootings in 2022 |date=29 June 2023 |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630083444/https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/politique/refus-dobtemperer-la-porte-parole-de-la-police-nationale-annonce-138-tirs-en-2022 |url-status=live}} leading to the indictment of five police officers.{{Cite news |last1=Bisset |first1=Victoria |last2=Suliman |first2=Adela |date=28 June 2023 |title=Protests erupt in Paris after police shoot, kill teen during traffic stop |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/28/france-police-shooting-nanterre-nael/ |access-date=28 June 2023 |issn=0190-8286}} The victims were often people of black or Maghrebi origin, leading to allegations of systemic racism within the French police.{{Cite news |last1=Foroudi |first1=Layli |last2=Jabkhiro |first2=Juliette |date=28 June 2023 |title=Paris police shooting: Macron deplores 'inexcusable' killing of teenager |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/youths-clash-with-police-near-paris-after-teenager-shot-dead-traffic-stop-2023-06-28/ |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630014015/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/youths-clash-with-police-near-paris-after-teenager-shot-dead-traffic-stop-2023-06-28/ |url-status=live}} In May 2023, national representatives at the United Nations Human Rights Council criticized the country's police force and urged the implementation of significant measures to address excessive use of force in demonstrations.{{Cite news |title=France criticised over police violence, racism at UN |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/1/france-criticised-at-un-over-police-violence-racism |date=1 May 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629190800/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/1/france-criticised-at-un-over-police-violence-racism |url-status=live}} The French government has frequently downplayed instances of police violence, sometimes even avoiding the use of the term itself, while police unions opposed repealing or revising the 2017 law.

On 19 July 2016, Adama Traoré, a 24-year-old black man, died while in custody after being restrained and apprehended by the police.{{Cite news |last1=Amrani |first1=Iman |last2=Chrisafis |first2=Angelique |date=17 February 2017 |title=Adama Traoré's death in police custody casts long shadow over French society |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/17/adama-traore-death-in-police-custody-casts-long-shadow-over-french-society |access-date=28 June 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514103256/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/17/adama-traore-death-in-police-custody-casts-long-shadow-over-french-society |archive-date=14 May 2020 |url-status=live}} This incident sparked widespread public outcry and protests, which reignited in May 2020 when the officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing.{{Cite news |date=2 June 2020 |title=Adama Traoré: French anti-racism protests defy police ban |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52898262 |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603220150/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52898262 |archive-date=3 June 2020 |url-status=live}} On 14 June 2023, Alhoussein Camara, a 19-year-old, was killed during a road check in Angoulême. His body was repatriated to Conakry, Guinea, by his family and the Guinean authorities. While there, they appealed to France for justice to be served.{{Cite web |url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/charente/angouleme/video-mise-en-examen-pour-homicide-volontaire-du-policier-auteur-d-un-tir-mortel-a-angouleme-2804810.html-2804810.html |title=VIDEO Mise en examen pour homicide volontaire du policier auteur d'un tir mortel à Saint-Yrieix, près d'Angoulême |trans-title=VIDEO Indictment for intentional homicide of the police officer who shot deadly in Saint-Yrieix, near Angoulême |language=fr |date=29 June 2023 |website=France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine |access-date=30 June 2023 |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630203453/https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/charente/angouleme/video-mise-en-examen-pour-homicide-volontaire-du-policier-auteur-d-un-tir-mortel-a-angouleme-2804810.html |url-status=live}}

Nahel Merzouk ({{IPA|fr|naɛl mɛʁzuk}}; {{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.{{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}} He did not have a driving license allowing him to drive the rented Mercedes he died in.{{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 |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}}{{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}} According to a paramedic who knew him, his father left his mother before he was born.{{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 |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}}

According to his family's lawyers, Merzouk had no criminal record but the prosecutor confirmed he was "known to police",{{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. }} particularly for resisting arrest, and had been charged with resisting arrest the previous weekend and five times since 2021.{{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}}{{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}} According to information leaked to Europe 1,{{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 }}{{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 }} his police file (TAJ) included 15 recorded incidents, including the use of false license plates and driving without insurance.{{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}}

File:Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ Edition 1 (W177) rear.jpg, similar to the one driven by Merzouk]]

File:Hommage Nahel lieu deces IMG 20230629 084900.jpg

File:Hommage_Nahel_lieu_deces_-_IMG_20230704_090039.jpgAccording to the public prosecutor of Nanterre, two Paris Police Prefecture motorcycle officers noticed a 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 M., working his ninth consecutive day without a day off, 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{{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 }}{{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 }} 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.{{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}}{{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}}{{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}}

Police records indicate that Merzouk was known for previous incidents in which he failed to comply with traffic stops. 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.{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}}{{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}}

Authorities arrested Florian M. on suspicion of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority". Police unions complained against the arrest. 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.{{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}}{{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}}

According to the police, Florian M. fired his weapon as the young driver was about to run him over.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}} 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.

On 30 June 2023, a third passenger aboard the Mercedes testified that Merzouk received several buttstrokes. According to them, the third buttstroke made Merzouk release the brake pedal, causing the car to move forward, given that the gearbox was automatic. According to BFM TV, this version differs from that put forward by the police, as according to the Prefect of Police of Paris Laurent Nuñez: "the driver had first turned off the engine, restarted the vehicle, then left. It was in this context that the police officer used his firearm."{{cite web |first=Théo |last=Putavy |access-date=1 July 2023 |language=fr |title=Mort de Nahel: le troisième passager de la voiture donne sa version des faits pour 'rétablir la vérité' |trans-title=Death of Nahel: the third passenger in the car gives his version of the facts to 'restore the truth' |date=30 June 2023 |url=https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-troisieme-passager-de-la-voiture-donne-sa-version-des-faits-pour-retablir-la-verite_AV-202306300837.html |website=BFM TV |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630204302/https://www.bfmtv.com/police-justice/mort-de-nahel-le-troisieme-passager-de-la-voiture-donne-sa-version-des-faits-pour-retablir-la-verite_AV-202306300837.html |url-status=live}}

Florian M. is under investigation for manslaughter and was placed in custody for the charge of "voluntary homicide by a person in authority".{{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}} The police have maintained that the shooting was an act of self-defense, as they argue that Merzouk was driving towards the officer. However, since the video was released, this claim has faced significant criticism. Yassine Bouzrou, a lawyer representing Merzouk, has stated that the video completely disproves this assertion and alleges that the brigadier{{efn|Brigadier is a French police rank equivalent to sergeant.}} had an "intention to kill". Other lawyers representing Merzouk have made similar remarks.{{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}}

Two investigations have been initiated: "refusal to comply" against Merzouk, and "voluntary homicide by a person in authority" against Florian M. The latter investigation has been assigned to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN).{{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}}{{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}}

French President Emmanuel Macron declared the incident "inexcusable and unforgivable", adding that it "moved the entire nation". Macron's statements were a rare critique of French law enforcement from government officials.{{Cite news |date=28 June 2023 |title='Unexplainable and inexcusable': Macron lays into police after teen shot dead and Paris riots |language=en-AU |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation News |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-28/clashes-with-police-on-the-streets-of-paris/102536888 |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630000538/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-28/clashes-with-police-on-the-streets-of-paris/102536888 |archive-date=30 June 2023}} The BBC's Hugh Schofield attributed this to the effects of social media, allowing for the dissemination of such videos with ease, as well as fear stemming from the ensuing riots. Alliance Police nationale, the largest French police union, criticized Macron for "condemn[ing] our colleagues before justice has had the chance to speak".{{Cite news |first=Hugh |last=Schofield |date=28 June 2023 |title=Paris shooting: Why French government backed family so fast |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66045686 |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629215135/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66045686 |archive-date=29 June 2023}}{{Cite news |first=Boris |last=Ivanoff |date=28 June 2023 |title=Nanterre. Mort de Nahel à Nanterre : quel est ce syndicat France Police menacé de dissolution ? |language=fr |work=Le Progrès |url=https://www.leprogres.fr/faits-divers-justice/2023/06/28/mort-de-nahel-a-nanterre-quel-est-ce-syndicat-france-police-menace-de-dissolution |url-status=live |access-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629024137/https://www.leprogres.fr/faits-divers-justice/2023/06/28/mort-de-nahel-a-nanterre-quel-est-ce-syndicat-france-police-menace-de-dissolution |archive-date=29 June 2023}} Far-right politician Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party, dubbed Macron's statements as "excessive" and "irresponsible", adding that "the president is prepared to ignore constitutional principles in a bid to put out a potential fire."{{Cite web |last=Brudeau |first=Cain |title=Riots, racial tensions erupt in France after fatal police shooting |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/riots-racial-tensions-erupt-in-france-after-fatal-police-shooting/ |date=28 June 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629201708/https://www.courthousenews.com/riots-racial-tensions-erupt-in-france-after-fatal-police-shooting/ |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=Courthouse News Service}} Left-wing politician and former La France Insoumise party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for police reform. Éric Ciotti, party leader of the conservative party LR, expressed his support for the police, dubbing them defenders of collective security and denouncing the ensuing unrest as unjustified.

French football player Kylian Mbappé took to Twitter to denounce the incident as "unacceptable" and sent condolences to Merzouk's family.{{Cite web |title='I hurt for my France': Mbappe, Macron shocked by police killing |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/french-president-says-teenagers-killing |url-status=live |date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629182202/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/french-president-says-teenagers-killing |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} Mike Maignan, a footballer for AC Milan, stated on Twitter that "It's always for the same people that being in the wrong leads to death."

FC Barcelona footballer Jules Koundé criticized the coverage of the incident, stating that news media were capitalizing on it to "distort the truth" and find excuses to criminalize Merzouk. French actor and comedian Omar Sy sent condolences to the family.{{Cite news |first=Antoinette |last=Radford |date=27 June 2023 |title=Anger in Paris after police kill teen in traffic stop |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66038227 |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629225242/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66038227 |archive-date=29 June 2023}}

Merzouk's mother called for a "a revolt for my son" on TikTok. Merzouk's grandmother stated that she lacked forgiveness for the police and government, stating "They killed my grandson, now I don't care about anyone, they took my grandson from me, I will never forgive them in my life, never, never, never."{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Peter |date=28 June 2023 |title=First picture of teenager whose killing by police triggered night of riots in Paris |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/paris-riots-france-police-teenager-shooting-b1090659.html |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629204653/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/paris-riots-france-police-teenager-shooting-b1090659.html |url-status=live}}

Le Parisien and BFM TV have been criticized for relaying the police's account without any caution in the early hours of the event, before changing their narrative in response to the video evidence and pressure from other media outlets.{{Cite web |first=Jonathan |last=Bouchet-Petersen |title=Mort de Nahel : une vidéo qui change tout et un cocktail explosif |trans-title=Death of Nahel: a video that changes everything and an explosive cocktail |date=28 June 2023 |url=https://www.liberation.fr/politique/mort-de-nael-une-video-qui-change-tout-et-un-cocktail-explosif-20230628_Q3YIJEFEHVEYBODLHJO3MKZIQY/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629191355/https://www.liberation.fr/politique/mort-de-nael-une-video-qui-change-tout-et-un-cocktail-explosif-20230628_Q3YIJEFEHVEYBODLHJO3MKZIQY/ |archive-date=29 June 2023 |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=Libération |language=fr}}

The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "shock and consternation the brutal and tragic disappearance of the young Nahel", adding that it trusted the French government to assume its duty of protection and security for Algerian nationals on French territory. The Moroccan press was critical of what it called Algerian interference in internal French domestic affairs and use of the crisis to political advantage.{{Cite news |title=" La France continue à marginaliser des générations d'immigrés " : au Maghreb, les émeutes en France font réagir |trans-title="France continues to marginalize generations of immigrants": in the Maghreb, the riots in France are reacting |language=fr |last1=Amrouche |first1=Karim |last2=Ben Hamadi |first2=Monia |last3=Collas |first3=Aurélie |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2023/07/03/la-france-continue-a-marginaliser-des-generations-d-immigres-au-maghreb-les-emeutes-en-france-font-reagir_6180270_3212.html |date=3 July 2023 |work=Le Monde |access-date=3 July 2023 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704065828/https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2023/07/03/la-france-continue-a-marginaliser-des-generations-d-immigres-au-maghreb-les-emeutes-en-france-font-reagir_6180270_3212.html |url-status=live}}

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.{{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}}{{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}}

A fundraiser on GoFundMe for the officer's family was set up by the 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.{{cite news |title=France riots: €1m donated to policeman who killed Nahel Merzouk |url=https://www.thetimes.com/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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}}

{{interlanguage link|Céline Pina|fr}}, in an op-ed in Atlantico,{{cite web |website=Atlantico |url=https://atlantico.fr/article/decryptage/les-emeutiers-des-francais-qui-ne-se-sentent-pas-comme-les-autres-cette-analyse-interdite-a-la-droite-mais-revendiquee-par-l-extreme-gauche-celine-pina-malik-bezouh-violences-urbaines-emeutes-emeutiers-identite-nationale |title=Emeutes : Pourquoi la droite n'a-t-elle pas le droit de dire que les émeutiers sont des Français qui ne se sentent pas comme les autres ? |last=Pecnard |first=Jules |language=fr |date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709174952/https://atlantico.fr/article/decryptage/les-emeutiers-des-francais-qui-ne-se-sentent-pas-comme-les-autres-cette-analyse-interdite-a-la-droite-mais-revendiquee-par-l-extreme-gauche-celine-pina-malik-bezouh-violences-urbaines-emeutes-emeutiers-identite-nationale |archive-date=9 July 2023 |access-date=9 July 2023 |url-status=live }} and {{interlanguage link|Ivan Rioufol|fr}}, in an op-ed in Causeur{{cite web |website=Causeur |last=Rioufol |first=Ivan |url=https://www.causeur.fr/emeutes-hidjab-nael-ces-effets-de-la-societe-ouverte-multiculturalisme-262539 |language=fr |date=28 June 2023 |title=Émeutes, hidjab: ces effets de la société ouverte |trans-title=Riots, hijab: these effects of the open society |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230715012419/https://www.causeur.fr/emeutes-hidjab-nael-ces-effets-de-la-societe-ouverte-multiculturalisme-262539 |archive-date=15 July 2023 |access-date=15 July 2023 |url-status=live }} and during an appearance on CNews,{{cite web |last=Gontier |first=Samuel |date=6 July 2023 |url=https://www.telerama.fr/television/immigration-barbares-et-guerre-civile-apres-la-mort-de-nahel-les-chaines-info-peaufinent-leurs-analyses-7016323.php |language=fr |website=Telerama |title=Immigration, barbares et guerre civile : après la mort de Nahel, les chaînes info peaufinent leurs analyses |trans-title=Immigration, barbarians and civil war: after Nahel's death, the news networks polish up their analyses |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709174952/https://www.telerama.fr/television/immigration-barbares-et-guerre-civile-apres-la-mort-de-nahel-les-chaines-info-peaufinent-leurs-analyses-7016323.php |archive-date=9 July 2023 |access-date=9 July 2023 |url-status=live }} opined that the violence was related to immigration and Islam. The Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin, when asked by a senator from The Republicans to describe "in what way" the rioters were French, replied that "there were many Kevins and Mattéos among those arrested" and said that he thought any identity-based reading of the events would be a mistake. Darmanin repeated that the policeman who shot Merzouk during a traffic check "obviously did not respect the law".{{Cite news |newspaper=Le Monde |title=Emeutes urbaines : devant le Sénat, Gérald Darmanin défend son bilan |trans-title=Urban riots: facing the Senate, Gérald Darmanin defends his record |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2023/07/05/emeutes-urbaines-devant-le-senat-gerald-darmanin-defend-son-bilan_6180712_823448.html |first1=Mariama |last1=Darame |first2=Jérémie |last2=Lamothe |date=5 July 2023 |language=fr |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730110921/https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2023/07/05/emeutes-urbaines-devant-le-senat-gerald-darmanin-defend-son-bilan_6180712_823448.html |archive-date=30 July 2023 |access-date=16 July 2023 |url-status=live }} The emphasis on immigration by LR was described by the magazine Marianne as part of a campaign strategy to attract Eric Zemmour and Marine Le Pen voters in upcoming elections.{{Cite web |first=Jules |last=Pecnard |date=7 July 2023 |url=https://www.marianne.net/politique/droite/ordre-delinquance-immigration-lr-se-raccroche-aux-emeutes-pour-survivre |title=Ordre, délinquance, immigration… LR se raccroche aux émeutes pour survivre |trans-title=Order, delinquency, immigration… LR clings to the riots to survive |language=fr |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708184227/https://www.marianne.net/politique/droite/ordre-delinquance-immigration-lr-se-raccroche-aux-emeutes-pour-survivre |url-status=live}}

{{main|Nahel Merzouk riots}}

File:Marche blanche pour Nahel IMG 20230629 140631.jpg

Public outcry and outrage over the shooting of Merzouk evolved into protests and riots (with some preferring the term "revolt"). In Nanterre, residents protested outside the police headquarters on 27 June, which escalated into rioting. Demonstrators set cars alight, trashed bus stops, and shot fireworks at police.{{Cite news |title=France braces for further protests after police kill teenager |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/outrage-in-france-after-police-shoot-17-year-old-in-paris-suburb |access-date=28 June 2023 |work=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629214904/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/28/outrage-in-france-after-police-shoot-17-year-old-in-paris-suburb |url-status=live}} In Viry-Châtillon, just south of Paris, a group of youths reportedly set a bus ablaze.

In Mantes-la-Jolie, a town 40 km northwest of Paris,{{Cite web |last1=Rabemanantsoa |first1=Anna |last2=Winsor |first2=Morgan |title=Teenager's death during police traffic stop sparks violent unrest in Paris suburb |date=28 June 2023 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/nanterre-paris-teenager-police-shooting-protests/story?id=100434360 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629190047/https://abcnews.go.com/International/nanterre-paris-teenager-police-shooting-protests/story?id=100434360 |url-status=live}} the town hall was set ablaze after being firebombed{{Cite news |last=Mortimer |first=Gavin |date=28 June 2023 |title=France erupts in violence after police shoot dead a teenager |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/france-erupts-in-violence-after-police-shoot-dead-a-teenager/ |access-date=29 June 2023 |work=The Spectator |language=en-US |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629171139/https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/france-erupts-in-violence-after-police-shoot-dead-a-teenager/ |url-status=live}} on the night of 27 June, burning until 3:15 (CEST). Clashes continued throughout the night across France, including in Toulouse and Lille. Unrest was also reported in Asnières, Colombes, Suresnes, Aubervilliers, Clichy-sous-Bois and Mantes-la-Jolie.

By 29 June, over 150 people had been arrested,{{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}} 24 officers had been injured, and 40 cars had been torched. Fearing greater unrest, Darmanin deployed 1,200 riot police and gendarmes in and around Paris, later adding an additional 2,000. On 29 June, he announced that the government would deploy 40,000 troops nationwide.{{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}} According to Darmanin, over 1,350 vehicles were set on fire, and over 1,300 arrests were made in connection with the riots.{{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}}

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".{{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}} A few hours later, the officer implicated in the killing, was indicted for intentional homicide and remanded in custody.{{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 }}

{{Portal|France}}

• Paris massacre of 1961
• Killing of Malik Oussekine and subsequent 1986–1987 protests in France
• 2005 French riots following the death of Zyed Benna, 17, and Bouna Traoré, 15
• 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

{{notelist}}

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• {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629181852/https://twitter.com/Ohana_Fgn/status/1673608693265453056 |date=2023-06-29 |title=Video of the killing}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Merzouk, Nahel}}

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