Could the riots have claimed their first casualty from civilian police fire? According to the Marseille public prosecutor’s office relayed by AFP, a 27-year-old man died on the night of Saturday to Sunday July 2 from the probable consequences of a “violent shock to the chest”. The fatal wound was reportedly caused by a “flash-ball type” projectile during that riotous night.
However, it would be impossible to confirm the precise circumstances of the death: “Events such as riots and looting were taking place that night in the area, without it being possible to determine whether the victim had participated in them or even if he could have circulate in such an area, ”underlines the prosecution.
The elements of the investigation make it possible to retain as probable a death caused by a violent shock to the thorax caused by the firing of a “flash-ball type” projectile”, details the same source, confirming information from the weekly Marianne and the regional daily La Marseillaise.
“This impact led to cardiac arrest and therefore death in the near future”, adds the Marseille prosecutor’s office, which specifies that it has opened “a judicial investigation on the count of fatal blows with the use or threat of a weapon”.
The second city of France was affected by clashes between police and groups of young people, as well as by looting, during the weekend. A very muscular police force had been put in place on Saturday after a particularly violent Friday night.
