French police forensic officers inspect the scene of a shooting on the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris, France. Reuters
French police forensic officers inspect the scene of a shooting on the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris, France. Reuters
French police forensic officers inspect the scene of a shooting on the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris, France. Reuters
French police forensic officers inspect the scene of a shooting on the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris, France. Reuters

World

Paris police shoot and kill two in car driven at speed towards officers

Incident took place on the Pont Neuf only hours after French President Emmanuel Macron won a second term

The National

April 25, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Police in central Paris shot and killed two people inside a car that was being driven towards them.

The car had not stopped at a police checkpoint as it was driven on the Pont Neuf — the oldest bridge in Paris — shortly after midnight.

Officers opened fire on the vehicle as it sped in their direction, a police source told AFP. A third person in the car was injured.

The incident happened only hours after French President Emmanuel Macron won a second term.

A large police contingent descended upon the scene in the heart of the capital, where white sheets covered the bodies and a Volkswagen sedan could be seen bisecting traffic lanes, AFP reported.

Less than two kilometres away, French President Emmanuel Macron was celebrating his victory over far-right rival Marine Le Pen with a crowd of supporters at the Champ de Mars park.

His win closed out a tense contest that saw the French far right come the closest it ever has to winning the presidency.

Supporters of Emmanuel Macron celebrate after he won the French presidential election, at the Champ de Mars, in Paris. AFP
Supporters of Emmanuel Macron celebrate after he won the French presidential election, at the Champ de Mars, in Paris. AFP
Cheers of joy erupted as Mr Macron's re-election was announced on a giant screen at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. AFP
Cheers of joy erupted as Mr Macron's re-election was announced on a giant screen at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. AFP
Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron acknowledge the greetings of supporters near the Paris landmark. AFP
Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron acknowledge the greetings of supporters near the Paris landmark. AFP
Mr Macron celebrates the victory with his supporters. AFP
Mr Macron celebrates the victory with his supporters. AFP
Overjoyed supporters congratulate each other after the announcement of the results. AP Photo
Overjoyed supporters congratulate each other after the announcement of the results. AP Photo
Mr Macron comfortably won Sunday's presidential run-off with Marine Le Pen. AP Photo
Mr Macron comfortably won Sunday's presidential run-off with Marine Le Pen. AP Photo
Supporters of the incumbent president waved flags and hugged each other as they chanted 'Macron'. AP Photo
Supporters of the incumbent president waved flags and hugged each other as they chanted 'Macron'. AP Photo
Mr Macron was the front-runner but far-right contender Ms Le Pen mounted a tough challenge. AP Photo
Mr Macron was the front-runner but far-right contender Ms Le Pen mounted a tough challenge. AP Photo
Mr Macron said a simple 'Thank you,' after winning re-election. AP Photo
Mr Macron said a simple 'Thank you,' after winning re-election. AP Photo
Mr Macron also praised those who gave him five more years at the helm of France. AFP
Mr Macron also praised those who gave him five more years at the helm of France. AFP
Supporters celebrate with Mr Macron in front of the Eiffel Tower. AP Photo
Supporters celebrate with Mr Macron in front of the Eiffel Tower. AP Photo
Crowds gather for Mr Macron's election night speech in the French capital. AP Photo
Crowds gather for Mr Macron's election night speech in the French capital. AP Photo
'I’m not the candidate of one camp any more, but the president of all,' Mr Macon said shortly after his re-election. AFP
'I’m not the candidate of one camp any more, but the president of all,' Mr Macon said shortly after his re-election. AFP

No link has been established between the bridge incident and the election night events.

An Egyptian tourist, who gave his name as El Sammak, said he was near the incident on the terrace of the White Horse Hotel overlooking the Seine when he heard the shooting.

"I heard four bullets [being fired]," he told AFP. "When I looked, I saw a man running 10 or 15 metres. Then he collapsed. Apparently, he was not the driver but a passenger."

An investigation has been launched for "attempted voluntary manslaughter on persons in charge of public authority".

The Paris public prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, arrived at about 1.30am.

France's police oversight body, the General Inspectorate of the National Police, is also expected to be deployed, as is typical following an officer's use of a firearm.

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