A French mayor has branded an attack on his home as an ‘assassination attempt’ as rioting enters its fifth day.
France has seen widespread rioting and thousands of arrests following the death of 17-year-old delivery driver Nahel Merzouk.
He was shot by police after failing to stop for a traffic stop. The officer has since been handed preliminary murder charges.
Mayor of L’Hay-les-Roses, Vincent Jeanbrun said protesters had ‘rammed a car’ into his home before then setting it on fire.
His wife and one of his children were injured in the attack.
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It happened at around 1.30am on Sunday morning while he was at City Hall and his wife and two children were sleeping at home.
Mr Jeanbrun vowed to ‘not back down’ and said his ‘determination to protect and serve the Republic is greater than ever’, the MailOnline reports.
He said: ‘Last night a milestone was reached in horror and disgrace. My wife and one of my children were injured.
‘It was an attempted murder of unspeakable cowardice.
‘I do not have words strong enough to describe my emotions following the horror of the attack.
‘My priority today is to take care of my family.’
Several schools, police stations, town halls and stores have been targeted by fires or vandalism in recent days – but such a personal attack on a mayor’s home is unusual.
France’s justice minister, Dupond-Moretti, warned young people who share calls for violence on Snapchat or other apps could face legal prosecution.
He added on Saturday that 30% of those detained by police were minors, some as young as 13.
President Emmanuel Macron has blamed social media for fuelling violence.
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