A dramatic video out of the multicultural neighborhood of Seine-Saint-Denis in Paris shows police officers fleeing from a rampaging gang of 20 youths clad in black and armed with iron bars. While two youths are now being charged, the police are also in the hot seat and now facing an investigation by prosecutors.
The potential crime of the police? The officers allegedly fled away too quickly with their vehicles and almost hit some of the youths, which is why they are now being investigated for the charge of “violence with a weapon by public authority holders.”
The incident began when the officers attempted to confiscate motorcycles during a “rodeo.” These “rodeos” are common in diverse neighborhoods within European cities, which involve street races and youths doing high-risk tricks with their cars or motorcycles. While these incidents represent dangerous public disturbances, they also often result in tragedy, including the death of young children.
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) April 3, 2025
After the police were nearly lynched at a Paris housing estate, prosecutors are now investigating…. the police officers.
While fleeing from dozens of thugs, one of the officers allegedly nearly ran over one of the assaulters in Saint-Seine-Denis. pic.twitter.com/mvQzMsDFKr
However, the police actions quickly escalated, and the video shows that approximately 20 of these youths were chasing the officers with iron bars and construction barriers. The youths then attacked two patrol cars.
Bodycam footage shows the officers losing control and maneuvering quickly away from the scene in their vehicles, however, Le Parisien reports the officers were “maneuvering dangerously” to escape the hostile crowd.
“One vehicle reversed into a crowd brandishing weapons, swerved left to avoid a pedestrian, then narrowly missed a scooter rider during a second evasive turn,” wrote the French newspaper.
However, the investigation may not reveal any misconduct by the police, and already some public authorities have stated the officers did not violate any procedures.
Gwenaëlle Badufle-Douchez, deputy for security, acknowledged the officers “panicked under threat of attack” but said no procedural violations occurred.
Prosecutor Éric Mathais said the investigation was initiated to obtain a “comprehensive view” of events involving the officers and whether their vehicles were used properly.
The Bobigny prosecutor’s office has charged two teenagers, 14 and 16, for “participation in a violent group” and assaults on officers.
