The protests quickly escalated into acts of violence, with town halls, schools, and police stations becoming targets and being set ablaze in both the Paris region and other cities across the country.
French President Emmanuel Macron, denouncing the riots as "unjustifiable," took immediate action by convening a crisis meeting with his cabinet to address the deteriorating situation.
The incident that sparked the unrest took place when Nahel M, attempting to flee from the police, was shot at close range.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed strong condemnation for the escalating violence, describing the night as one of "unbearable violence."
As clashes spread throughout the Parisian suburbs, the district of Nanterre witnessed some of the most intense confrontations between protesters and law enforcement. Videos circulated on social media, capturing acts of arson and looting that unfolded across the Paris region.
The rioters even targeted a prison in Fresnes, utilizing fireworks and projectiles to launch an attack on its entrance, according to local sources.
The Pablo-Picasso district emerged as a focal point of the violence, with young protesters taking to the streets after sunset to express their grievances.
Furthermore, police stations in various regions of Paris found themselves under fire as rioters targeted them with fireworks.
In Lille, disturbing footage emerged, showing individuals inside the town hall of the Mons-en-Barœul suburb setting documents and chairs ablaze.
Similarly, in Rennes, a western town, approximately 300 people gathered to pay tribute to the deceased teenager, but the situation turned tumultuous as some engaged in disturbances, igniting fires that were subsequently dispersed by the police.
The situation remains tense as authorities work to restore calm and investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting that sparked the ongoing unrest. (ILKHA)