"Nearly 500 people have been arrested in France as protests continue for a fourth night following the killing of a 17-year-old by police," reports CNN.
Despite a ban on "large-scale events," rioting and violence erupted in several cities, with scenes of gunfire, fires, and vandalism captured in social media videos. French authorities deployed 45,000 officers across the country, but the unrest persisted.
The protests were triggered by the death of a teenager during a traffic stop, where an officer fired his gun "despite not appearing to be in any immediate danger," according to CNN.
The officer is now facing a formal investigation for voluntary homicide. The protests have also spread to overseas French territories, prompting concerns about the escalating violence.
The French government has refrained from declaring a state of emergency, opting for a "gradual response" to the situation, as stated by a spokesperson from the Elysée.
Daryo previously reported that 150 people had been arrested following the first day of protests.
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