Violence erupts during Paris protests demanding justice for Chinese man who was gunned down by police

Police fire tear gas after scuffles broke out at the end of the demonstration

Clouds of tear gas fill the Place de la Republique during clashes between French riot police and members of the Chinese community (REUTERS)

Violence erupted as thousands of protestors gathered in Paris to demand justice for the Chinese man who was killed at his home by police.

Shaoyo Liu, 56, was shot dead by officers in his apartment. They were responding to a report that a man with a knife had burst into the property.

Police have claimed that Mr Liu attacked an officer with a pair scissors when they entered the property, which led to him being gunned down - a claim disputed by his family.

A week after he was killed, his wife and two daughters were among the crowds at a demonstration about his death in Paris' Place de la Republique.

Although largely peaceful, as the rally ended a group of a few hundred Chinese youths clashed with police officers.

As scuffles broke out and projectiles were thrown some members of the crowd shouted the “police are murderers”, according to the Russia Today TV news channel.

Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.

It was unclear whether anyone was injured or whether any arrests had been made, but the protest followed a number of similar demonstrations about Mr Liu's death.

Last week, three officers were slightly injured in the incident and one police vehicle was damaged by an incendiary device.

Relatives of Mr Liu have disputed the official account and claimed he was holding kitchen scissors because he was cooking.

Many of the demonstrators held scissors made of cardboard, which have become a symbol of the attack.

The family have appealed for an end to violence at the protests over what many members of the Chinese community believe to be an unjustified killing.

A French intelligence report leaked to Le Parisien newspaper said Chinese criminals, including a “mafia boss” known for involvement in prostitution and unlicensed gambling, had been spotted coordinating the demonstrators.