By: Natasha Archary
France has fallen trends on social media as looting and destruction continues for the sixth day, following the death of a slain teenager.
Nahel Merzouk, was shot and killed by a French police officer for failing to stop when ordered to by the traffic officer.
The 17-year old’s death has since sparked mass outrage in France, triggering a series of protests across Paris, and the suburb of Nanterre, where the teen was killed.
Video circulating on social media, shows a police officer holding a rifle up to Nahel before a shot is fired. The driver takes off but the vehicle veers off the road and crashes shortly afterwards.
Nahel was found with a bullet wound to his chest, and according to reports out of France, is not the first casualty at the hands of police.
Last year, France recorded that 13 people were killed by French police in a similar way that ended Nahel’s life.
The Algerian teen’s death sparked debate on whether his death might have been racially or religiously motivated.
Since his death, over 157 people were detained following mass protests, looting and burning down of French buildings, infrastructure, businesses and vehicles.
While France burns, President Emmanuel Macron has been criticized for failing to deploy the military to gain back control and stop the disorder.
The police officer has since been charged with voluntary homicide and placed in preliminary detention.
Meanwhile, the teen’s family have called for the protests and riots to stop so that justice can prevail.
Nahel’s grandmother told Al Jazeera that those who are destroying their city are using Nahel as an excuse to get away with crimes.
Videos under the hashtag France has fallen shows the scale of arson attacks and looting.
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