The incident was filmed before being widely shared on social media. According to AFP, a man who was “known to have mental health issues” was shot dead on Saturday whilst attempting to flee in his car. The incident took place in Châlette-sur-Loing, a town east of Orléans (Loiret).
Known to the police for murder, officers had been alerted by witnesses to his “threatening behaviour” in the town centre.
About fifteen shots
In videos filmed by local residents, police officers can be seen trying to reason with the man, who was locked inside his car, before attempting to smash the windows with their batons. The man reversed and drove forwards several times, colliding with a police vehicle, before attempting to flee. As he managed to break free, the officers can be heard firing their weapons more than fifteen times in the direction of the vehicle.