Police killing sparks French riots

Riots have erupted in the French city of Grenoble after a local resident was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police. Rioters burned cars, attacked a tram and shops and shot at police in the suburb of La Villeneuve following a memorial service for the man, who was suspected of robbing a casino in the city. Brice Hortefeux, France's interior minister, visited the southeastern city on Saturday and vowed that order would be restored. The violence in Grenoble recalled civil unrest that exploded across France in late 2005 after two teenagers from a Paris suburb died as they were fleeing police. Police said they were forced to intervene early on Saturday after a tram was stopped by a group of about 30 youths armed with baseball bats and iron bars. The gang started a fire on the rails and stoned the vehicle, forcing the passengers inside to get out. Later dozens of cars were set alight and police used tear gas in an attempt to control the violence. At one point one of the rioters fired a shot and police returned fire, a spokesman said.