A 25-year-old man armed with a knife was shot dead by municipal police officers during a routine traffic stop in Marseille's 11th arrondissement on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Boulevard des Libérateurs. No officers were injured.
Municipal police officers opened fire on a threatening individual during a traffic stop in Marseille's 11th arrondissement on Thursday, April 23, around 5:30 p.m. According to the Marseille city hall, the 25-year-old man exited his vehicle with a bladed weapon and advanced toward the officers, who responded with gunfire. He sustained three bullet wounds and died shortly after 6 p.m., according to a source close to the investigation.
The three involved officers, aged 52, 38, and 22, and likely from the canine brigade, were unharmed physically. They were however directed to a psychological support unit at La Timone hospital due to emotional shock. The Marseille marin-pompiers battalion responded to the scene.
The city hall stated: « The City of Marseille stands ready to assist Justice in considering all facts and circumstances of this act. » The Marseille prosecutor's office has opened a flagrante delicto investigation assigned to the Territorial Criminality Division.