The policeman who killed on the evening of April 24 two occupants of a car suspected of having forced a check near the Pont-Neuf in Paris, was heard by the IGPN.
According to the police intervention report consulted by AFP, on April 24 shortly before midnight, a patrol of five police officers headed for a car parked in the wrong direction, hazard lights on, Quai des Orfèvres on the Ile de la Cité, in order to control it. As the police approached the front of the car, it started and “ran towards one of the officials who moved away to avoid it”, according to this report.
“The only” policeman armed with an assault rifle then opened fire on the vehicle which was heading for the Pont-Neuf where it ended its race after having climbed onto a platform. According to the first elements of the investigation, a dozen cartridges were fired including “five or six impacts having reached the individuals”.
The 25-year-old driver, found inert at the wheel, and his front passenger, 31, discovered lying on the ground to the right of the car, died on the spot despite the care provided by the emergency services.
“A 42-year-old man, rear passenger of the vehicle, was injured without his vital prognosis having been engaged,” announced the Paris prosecutor’s office. He is unknown to the police, according to a police source. The two deceased men are “unfavorably known, among other things for narcotics”, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The reasons for the police check had not yet been established on April 25 at midday, nor even the reason for the presence of the car at the Quai des Orfèvres. The first elements collected by the investigators made it possible to quickly rule out the terrorist track. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau went to the scene around 1:30 a.m., where a large police force was deployed, according to an AFP journalist.
Two investigations opened by the Paris prosecutor’s office
The Paris prosecutor’s office has opened two investigations. The first for “attempted intentional homicide on a person holding public authority” relates to the circumstances of a possible refusal to comply and was entrusted to the 1st judicial police district. The second investigation was opened “from the head of intentional violence resulting in death without the intention of giving it” and entrusted to the IGPN, said the prosecution. In particular, it will have to determine whether the police officer acted in self-defence.
According to the police account, a taxi driver, who says he witnessed the entire scene, “confirmed the self-defense cited by officials.” “Technical and scientific investigations were also requested in order to bring to light the circumstances of the shootings which led to the death and injuries of the occupants of the vehicle”, specified the prosecution.
