A man in his thirties, armed with a machete, was killed on Wednesday January 4 by the gendarmes in Taravao, Tahiti, AFP learned from a judicial source who confirmed information from the police. Polynésie la Première channel.
Called for a burglary in Taravao, two gendarmes found themselves, in a street of this city in the south-east of the island, facing the suspect who then threw a stone in their direction, according to the prosecution.
"One of the gendarmes used his taser, which was ineffective and the man showed a machete and tried to administer blows to them which could have been fatal
," public prosecutor Hervé Leroy told AFP. .
The two gendarmes retaliated by drawing their weapons and shooting in his direction.
The suspect, who could not be revived, died at the scene.
A rare incident
"I want to emphasize that when the gendarmes are forced to use their weapon, it is because they have the need to neutralize an attacker
," said the prosecutor.
Two investigations were opened: one for attempted intentional homicide on a person holding public authority, and another for intentional violence resulting in death without the intention of giving it, intended to determine whether the shootings of the gendarmes were justified. .
The two gendarmes were taken into custody and an autopsy was ordered.
The man was known to the police for intentional violence, degradation and drug use.
This type of incident is extremely rare in Tahiti, especially in the rural south of the island.
