12 Jan 2017

Appeal expected over closure of New Caledonia shooting case

5:07 pm on 12 January 2017

The mother of a New Caledonian man shot dead by police is set to appeal last week's finding that the action was in self-defence.

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Photo: AFP

William Decoire, a 23-year-old prison escapee, died after being shot when he tried to run a road block in a stolen vehicle near Noumea in October.

After a series of interviews and a reconstruction of the incident, the prosecutor concluded that the officer shot in self-defence and closed the case.

The lawyer acting for Decoire's mother told the public broadcaster that some points needed clarification.

The report said when police intercepted and shot Decoire they were unaware he was an unarmed prison escapee on the run in a stolen vehicle.

They reportedly wanted the stop the vehicle after a fuel theft.

The reconstruction concluded that the police officer shot from the front of the vehicle but the ballistics report suggests the gun was fired from the side.

Last month, the family lodged a police complaint for voluntary homicide.

Decoire's death triggered weeks of unrest in the area.

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