A police reenactment was held in Nanterre on Sunday, May 5th, to investigate the death of Nahel M., a 17-year-old who was killed by a police officer on June 27th, 2023. The incident had led to intense riots in the area. The area was secured by police forces, and access to the Nelson Mandela square was completely restricted during the reenactment. Vehicles used for the reenactment, including a yellow car similar to the one Nahel was driving on the day of his death, were brought in for the investigation. The police officer involved in the shooting, his colleague who was present that day, and several witnesses were brought in to confront their statements to determine if the officer was in imminent danger at the time of the shooting.
The investigation into Nahel’s death has become a symbol of the debate on police violence, particularly regarding the legitimacy of the use of firearms. After a chase, Nahel’s vehicle was blocked by the traffic. The initial police version claiming that the teenager had charged at the officers was quickly debunked by a video shared on social media. The footage showed the officers on the side of the vehicle pointing their guns at the driver, with one of them firing as the vehicle started moving again. The car later crashed into a concrete block a few meters away. The officers maintained that they felt their lives were in danger as they were trapped between the car and a wall.
Florian M., the officer involved in the shooting, was 38 years old at the time of the incident and was held in custody for five months. He was released on bail and placed under judicial supervision in November following several requests from his legal counsel. After his release, Nahel’s mother, Mounia, who raised him alone, called for a peaceful gathering attended by hundreds of people. She expressed her dismay in a video, criticizing the fact that a police officer who kills a child, regardless of their ethnicity, becomes a millionaire and is able to return to their family while her son is gone. She referred to a fundraiser launched in support of the officer’s family, which had raised over 1.6 million euros.
The aftermath of Nahel’s death was marked by widespread riots and damages in Nanterre, with schools, courthouses, public buildings, and stores being attacked and looted. The total damages across the country were estimated at 1 billion euros, according to a report from the Senate. The reenactment of the incident was a critical moment in the investigation, allowing all parties to confront their statements at the crime scene. The lawyer representing Nahel’s mother highlighted the significance of this moment in the quest for justice for Nahel. The investigation aims to determine the circumstances leading to Nahel’s death and whether the use of lethal force was justified by the officers involved.
The case of Nahel’s death has not only brought attention to the issue of police violence but has also raised questions about accountability and justice in such cases. The reenactment in Nanterre was a step towards unraveling the events that led to the tragic outcome and holding those responsible for their actions. The emotional impact of Nahel’s death on his community was evident in the peaceful gatherings organized in his honor, calling for transparency and fairness in the investigation. The outcome of the investigation and the legal proceedings against the officers involved will be crucial in addressing the broader issues surrounding police brutality and the protection of citizens’ rights.
