The two police officers who used their weapons were placed in police custody and are currently being heard by the police, the Lyon prosecutor’s office said.
Around 12:05 a.m. on the night of Thursday to Friday in Vénissieux, very close to Lyon, “four night patrol police officers spotted a vehicle parked in the Carrefour de Vénissieux car park and reported stolen”, said the prosecution.
As the officials were preparing to check him, the driver of the vehicle engaged the reverse gear then the forward gear, hitting a policeman who was thrown on the bonnet of the vehicle, who continued his progress.
Two police officers, including the one positioned on the bonnet, used their weapon several times. The vehicle ended its race a hundred meters further, added the prosecution in a press release.
The police discovered in the passenger compartment of the vehicle two very seriously injured men and provided them with first aid.
The firefighters quickly on the spot noted the death of the passenger while the driver was transported to the hospital in absolute emergency, according to the prosecution. He is brain dead, according to a police source.
The police officer hit, slightly injured in the legs, was also referred to the hospital for examination, according to the prosecution which indicates that two investigations have been opened.
The first, entrusted to the Departmental Security, concerns concealment of theft, aggravated refusal to comply and violence with a weapon against law enforcement officers. The second, for violence with a weapon by persons holding public authority resulting in death without the intention of giving it, was entrusted to the General Inspectorate of the National Police (IGPN).
According to a police source, the two men who were shot were unfavorably known to the police.
