Shooting in Nantes neighbourhood
A 15 year old boy died and two teenagers were injured in a shooting in the western French city of Nantes. Authorities say armed attackers wearing masks opened fire on three young males in a residential area near the Erdre river.
Victims and witness accounts
A local resident described panic during the attack, saying she heard repeated gunfire and saw masked people running through the area.
Police and government response
Nantes prosecutors described the shooting as a possible settling of scores linked to drug related networks operating in the area.
Mayor Johanna Rolland condemned the violence and called for stronger action against drug trafficking groups. She said the community is already under severe emotional stress after a previous shooting in the same area.
Interior officials said law enforcement will continue operations against trafficking networks and increase pressure on armed groups.
Rising concern over youth involvement
French justice officials report a sharp rise in teenagers becoming involved in illegal drug trade activity over recent years.
Several French cities have introduced night time curfews for young people in an attempt to reduce street violence and limit recruitment by criminal groups.
Officials say the trend is placing growing pressure on schools, families, and law enforcement agencies across urban areas.
