The prosecution requested, this Thursday, October 3, a year in prison for the two police officers who seriously injured two people, after refusing to comply in 2021 in Seine-Saint-Denis.
For having fired eight bullets in six seconds, the prosecution requested, Thursday, October 3, one year in prison under electronic surveillance against two police officers who had seriously injured a driver and his passenger, after a refusal to comply in 2021 in Seine-Saint-Denis.
The prosecutor considered that the majority of the shootings took place “in response”, and not in the face of a “current threat” situation. “Their response is inappropriate, dangerous” and “does not fall within the framework of self-defense, except for the first shot,” declared Fanny Bussac.
“They go beyond the legal framework for the use of weapons,” she said, also calling for a ban on the carrying of weapons, three years after the events.
Eight bullets fired in 6.25 seconds
The check of the crew of the anti-crime brigade (BAC) of Stains, in civilian clothes and in an unmarked car, took place on the night of August 15 to 16, in Seine-Saint-Denis.
An amateur video, widely distributed on social networks, captured part of the intervention which followed an initial exchange between the officials and the drunk driver.
One of the police officers tries to enter the passenger compartment of the car which then goes into reverse. He and his colleague fired several times, aiming at the driver. Eight bullets are fired in 6.25 seconds.
“It’s blowing everywhere,” Merryl, the passenger, recalled in court, explaining that she felt herself leaving. Just like Nordine, his vital prognosis was compromised. Hit by a bullet, she had her spleen removed and was prescribed 127 days of ITT.
“I still hear these shots every day. They broke us (…) Psychologically, I will never be the same again,” said the 43-year-old nursery director. “You almost killed us,” she said to the defendants who assured they were not aware of her presence in the back of the car.
Physical and psychological aftereffects
For his part, Nordine, 40, was hit five times, in the abdomen, arms, groin, femoral artery and thorax, causing 127 days of total incapacity for work (ITT). He has since been disabled and lost 10 centimeters in one of his arms. Bullet fragments remain in his body.
As he entered the courtroom, he was greeted with abundant applause from his many supporters. “I get anxious much more quickly than before. I’m afraid of what could happen to me,” Nordine described his psychological after-effects.
“We tried to get into my vehicle by force, I was afraid. At no time did I hear the police,” he assured. The officials repeated that Nordine had understood who he was dealing with despite the absence of distinctive signs.
In an ancillary procedure arising from the same facts, Nordine was sentenced on appeal to two years in prison for aggravated refusal to comply and willful violence.
“Cowboy behavior”
The two brigadiers, aged 30 and 33, were using their weapons for the first time. During the hearing, they insisted that they considered that their lives were in danger.
“Wouldn’t it have been better to let the vehicle go?” asks the president of the 14th criminal chamber of the court, Dominique Pittilloni.
“At first, I tried to stop the driver (…) When I make the decision to use a weapon, I have no choice,” replies the police officer who drew his weapon three times .
The court also noted that the shooting took place while the car was stationary. “We cannot do anything other than use our weapon. The danger is too great,” assures the brigadier. His colleague started shooting while he was straddling the car.
“We say to ourselves that this is cowboy behavior, not police behavior,” remarks Me Didier Seban, Merryl’s lawyer. “I can hear… but it was urgent,” replies the defendant. “We never wanted things to happen like this,” he confided later. The intervention took place 30 minutes before their end of service.
Since their indictment, they can no longer practice on public roads. The court reserved its decision until November 7.