French politicians and police unions voiced outrage Thursday over the killing of a police officer during a drugs raid in the southern city of Avignon, which has reignited a debate over President Emmanuel Macron s record on fighting crime.
The 36-year-old officer and father of two was killed on Wednesday evening while investigating a gathering at a spot in central Avignon known for drug-dealing, interior minister Gerald Darmanin said.
On arriving at the scene around 6:30 pm the plainclothes officers began to carry out identity checks on those present when a suspect opened fire, a police source told AFP.
The source said the man fired several times at the slain officer and that the other officers returned fire but did not manage to apprehend the shooter before he fled on a kick scooter.
Thursday, 06 May 2021 05:30 PM MYT
Gerald Darmanin, French interior minister, gives a press conference at the Avignon police station after a French officer was killed during an anti-drug operation in Avignon on May 5, 2021. AFP pic
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PARIS, May 6 French politicians and police unions voiced their indignation today over an officer’s killing at a known drug-dealing site in the southern city of Avignon, which reignited a debate over President Emmanuel Macron’s record on fighting crime.
The 36-year-old officer and father of two was shot and killed yesterday evening while investigating a gathering at the spot, interior minister Gerald Darmanin said.