The 19-year-old individual ignored the orders of law enforcement and decided to continue his race, refusing to submit to the warnings addressed to him. It was only after being forced to stop by the intervention of another police crew that the young driver finally immobilized his vehicle. These facts were reported by the prosecutor of Cherbourg, highlighting the refusal to cooperate and the recalcitrant attitude of the individual in violation.
A tragedy in Cherbourg
A 19-year-old individual lost his life on Sunday, June 9 in Cherbourg (Manche) around 11:40 pm, when he tried to escape a police control due to speeding. Driving a stolen vehicle, Sullivan was fatally shot in the chest, indicated the prosecutor of Cherbourg. A policewoman involved in the incident was placed in custody and then indicted for “voluntary homicide”. The General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN) was tasked with conducting the investigation. Here is what we know about this tragedy.
Traffic stop after speeding
In the evening on Sunday, a crew of three police officers tried to intercept a vehicle driving at excessive speed in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, according to the statements of the prosecutor of Cherbourg, Pierre-Yves Marot. The driver did not comply with the warnings and continued driving until being forced to stop by another police crew.
The three occupants of the vehicle then attempted to flee on foot, one managed to escape, another was apprehended and placed in custody for concealing given that the vehicle was reported as stolen, explained the prosecutor of Cherbourg.
In the confusion, the 19-year-old man from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin deliberately pushed one of the police officers present before fleeing. One of the officers then used a stun gun, while another resorted to their firearm, fatally hitting the victim in the chest. According to a source close to the case at franceinfo, the young man was not armed. The prosecutor subsequently transferred the case to the investigation department in Coutances.
Policewoman indicted for murder
After Sullivan’s family filed a complaint for voluntary homicide, the implicated policewoman was presented to an investigating judge and indicted for voluntary homicide, announced the prosecutor of Coutances, Gauthier Poupeau. Placed under strict judicial control, she is required not to go to Cherbourg, to cease her police activities, and to comply with monitoring and care measures, while being prohibited from owning a firearm.
Her colleagues testified in favor of the policewoman, describing her as an exemplary professional working for many years in Cherbourg. Christelle Sanier, secretary of the Alliance police union in Manche, assured that she would not have fired if she had not perceived a direct threat to her life. The IGPN was seized to clarify the exact circumstances of the incident.
Violence in Cherbourg
During the night following the incident, clashes erupted in Cherbourg between 1 am and 3 am, involving about fifteen people attacking law enforcement. Projectiles and mortars were thrown at local police officers and CRS 8 agents. Some property was set on fire, but fortunately no injuries were reported. Authorities took several measures to calm the situation, including banning certain products and calling for calm and respect for the family’s mourning.
A white march organized on Wednesday
Following these events, Sullivan’s family pleaded for calm. A white march was organized by the socio-cultural association La Maison pour tous Léo-Lagrange, in the Les Provinces district where the missing young man resided. Hundreds of people gathered in Octeville to pay him a final tribute. Sullivan’s friends described him as a lively individual, always smiling and friendly, who excelled in his studies and work.
Source: francetvinfo.fr
