Violent protests have erupted across France after the police shooting of a 17-year-old.

The boy, Nahel Merzouk, was fatally shot during a traffic stop Tuesday, June 27, in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. Footage of the incident filmed by a bystander showed two officers standing on the driver's side of the car, one of whom fired his gun at the driver despite not appearing to be in any immediate danger.

The officer said he fired his gun out of fear that the boy would run someone over with the car, according to Nanterre prosecutor Pascal Prache.

Despite calls from top officials for patience to allow time for the justice system to run its course, a sizable number of people across France remain shocked and angry, especially young men and women of color who have been victims of discrimination by police.

"Justice Nahel" is scrawled on a metro sign in Paris on July 2.
"Justice Nahel" is scrawled on a metro sign in Paris on July 2.
Abdulmonam Eassa/Getty Images
A police officer stands in front of the damaged home of Vincent Jeanbrun, the mayor of L'Haÿ-les-Roses, after <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F02%2Fworld%2Ffrance-protests-violence-mayors-house-attack-intl-hnk%2Findex.html" target="_blank">rioters rammed a vehicle</a> into the building overnight on Sunday, July 2. Jeanbrun said his wife and one of his children were injured.
A police officer stands in front of the damaged home of Vincent Jeanbrun, the mayor of L'Haÿ-les-Roses, after rioters rammed a vehicle into the building overnight on Sunday, July 2. Jeanbrun said his wife and one of his children were injured.
Nassim Gomri/AFP/Getty Images
A large crowd <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2023%2F07%2F03%2Feurope%2Ffrance-mayor-protests-march-intl%2Findex.html" target="_blank">marches with Jeanbrun</a>, center, to show their support for him on Monday, July 3. Locals and officials held up a banner at the march reading "Together for the republic!"
A large crowd marches with Jeanbrun, center, to show their support for him on Monday, July 3. Locals and officials held up a banner at the march reading "Together for the republic!"
Jeanne AccorsiniSipa/Shutterstock
Police stop a group of young people in the Champs-Élysées area of Paris on July 2.
Police stop a group of young people in the Champs-Élysées area of Paris on July 2.
Juan Medina/Reuters
Demonstrators run as French police officers shoot tear gas in Paris on July 2.
Demonstrators run as French police officers shoot tear gas in Paris on July 2.
Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
A French firefighter works to extinguish a burning car in Tourcoing, France, on July 2.
A French firefighter works to extinguish a burning car in Tourcoing, France, on July 2.
Pascal Rossignol/Reuters
Police officers patrol a demonstration in Marseille, France, on Saturday, July 1.
Police officers patrol a demonstration in Marseille, France, on Saturday, July 1.
Clement Mahoudeau/AFP/Getty Images
A passerby looks at the scorched remains of a car set on fire during protests in Colombes, France, on July 1.
A passerby looks at the scorched remains of a car set on fire during protests in Colombes, France, on July 1.
Sam Tarling/Getty Images
An employee boards up shop windows on July 1 following a night of protests in Strasbourg, France.
An employee boards up shop windows on July 1 following a night of protests in Strasbourg, France.
Patrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty Images
Firefighters use a water hose on a burnt bus in Nanterre, France, on July 1.
Firefighters use a water hose on a burnt bus in Nanterre, France, on July 1.
Lewis Joly/AP
Protesters clash with police in Nanterre on Friday, June 30.
Protesters clash with police in Nanterre on Friday, June 30.
Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
Protesters demonstrate in Paris on June 30.
Protesters demonstrate in Paris on June 30.
Blondet Eliot/ABACA/Shutterstock
Two restaurant employees extinguish a fire set by demonstrators in Paris on June 30.
Two restaurant employees extinguish a fire set by demonstrators in Paris on June 30.
Sopa Images Limited/Alamy Live News/AP
Officers stand guard during riots in Lille, France, on June 30.
Officers stand guard during riots in Lille, France, on June 30.
Nacho Doce/Reuters
People walk past a vandalized shop in Lille on June 30.
People walk past a vandalized shop in Lille on June 30.
Pascal Rossignol/Reuters
Burnt buses can be seen through the gates at the Fort d'Aubervilliers bus terminal in Aubervilliers, France, on June 30.
Burnt buses can be seen through the gates at the Fort d'Aubervilliers bus terminal in Aubervilliers, France, on June 30.
Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters clash with police in Nanterre on June 30.
Protesters clash with police in Nanterre on June 30.
Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters
Fireworks explode as policemen stand by during protests in Roubaix on June 30.
Fireworks explode as policemen stand by during protests in Roubaix on June 30.
Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images
People look at burning tires blocking a street in Bordeaux, France, on Thursday, June 29.
People look at burning tires blocking a street in Bordeaux, France, on Thursday, June 29.
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators clash with police in Paris on June 29.
Demonstrators clash with police in Paris on June 29.
Firas Abdullah/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Cars burn in Nanterre on June 29.
Cars burn in Nanterre on June 29.
Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images
Police face protesters at the end of a march in Paris on June 29.
Police face protesters at the end of a march in Paris on June 29.
Zakaria Abdelkafi/AFP/Getty Images
People demonstrate in Nanterre on June 29.
People demonstrate in Nanterre on June 29.
Benjamin Girette/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Firefighters try to extinguish burning cars in Paris on June 29.
Firefighters try to extinguish burning cars in Paris on June 29.
Firas Abdullah/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Mounia, the mother of Nahel Merzouk, gestures as she stands on a truck during a march in Nanterre on June 29.
Mounia, the mother of Nahel Merzouk, gestures as she stands on a truck during a march in Nanterre on June 29.
Antoine Gyori/Corbis/Getty Images
Firefighters extinguish burning vehicles during clashes in Nanterre on Wednesday, June 28.
Firefighters extinguish burning vehicles during clashes in Nanterre on Wednesday, June 28.
Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters