The driver's vehicle is pictured against a tree in Place Léon XIII Luxembourg Police

The driver's vehicle is pictured against a tree in Place Léon XIII Luxembourg Police

RTL reports that the IGP, the police's internal investigations unit, has already taken a statement from the officer who fired the shots. The broadcaster's website says that the “young” officer is suffering from shock and has been granted sick leave.

Among the factors being investigated by the IGP will be statements from witnesses, some of whom have suggested that three shots were fired. They will also look into whether the officer was acting in self-defence or whether other action could have been taken.

During weapons training police officers are instructed that they can only fire their gun if absolutely necessary and that any force they use must be in proportion to the situation. Some witnesses said that the car was driving at “dangerous speed”, but the IGP investigators will also have to ascertain how fast the car was travelling when the shots were fired.

Luxembourg’s prosecution released a statement on Thursday saying that the man had been driving a vehicle in Dernier Sol at around 4pm when he caught the attention of police because of a faulty number plate and erratic driving.

At the junction of rue des Ardennes and rue Sigismond, a police officer signalled for the driver to stop.

“He did not obey. He first backed up then rushed forward toward the police officer”, the statement read. The officer drew his service weapon and fired at the driver, who lost control of the vehicle and “struck the front of a building, and then came to a stop against a tree in Place Léon XIII. The driver died shortly afterwards as a result of his injuries.”

An autopsy was planned for Friday to confirm the driver’s identity and exact cause of death.