A machete-wielding man who cried out “Allahu Akbar” launched an attack on security forces in the area of the Louvre in the French capital, police said. The attacker, who was shot and wounded by a soldier, is now suspected of terrorist motives.
The attacker tried to assault a four-man patrol of soldiers at the Carrousel du Louvre area on Friday. Early reports said he was wielding a knife and had a suitcase.
Images of the apparent attacker lying on the floor by a staircase inside the Louvre are circulating on social media. There appears to be a weapon on the floor beside him.
The French Interior Ministry initially reported that was a “grave public security incident” in the vicinity of the Louvre museum. The area was then sealed off.
The attacker’s remarks led police to believe that he had intended to carry out a terrorist attack.
"We are dealing with an attack from an individual who was clearly aggressive and represented a direct threat, and whose comments lead us to believe that he wished to carry out a terrorist incident," said Cadot.
The attacker is believed to have acted alone. Two machetes have been found at the scene, according to AP.
French anti-terror police are now looking into the incident, with Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve saying the attack was “clearly of a terrorist nature.”
Five shots were fired at the attacker. It is understood that he sustained injuries to his legs or in the abdomen; police say they are quite serious.
The attacker has not been identified yet.
A second person has been detained at the scene following suspicious behavior.
The soldier who had been attacked sustained a slight scalp injury. Another soldier was reportedly wounded in the belly; Le Parisien newspaper says this is a more serious injury.
The nearby Palais Royal Musee du Louvre metro station was briefly closed due to the incident, witnesses said on Twitter.
The square in front of the Louvre was partially evacuated while bomb disposal officers were sent to the scene, Europe 1 radio reported. No explosives were found.
Louvre officials also closed the museum and kept visitors inside from leaving. There were about 1,000 visitors at the museum at the time of the incident, according to officials.
https://www.rt.com/news/376165-paris-louvre-suitcase-shooting/
The attacker tried to assault a four-man patrol of soldiers at the Carrousel du Louvre area on Friday. Early reports said he was wielding a knife and had a suitcase.
Images of the apparent attacker lying on the floor by a staircase inside the Louvre are circulating on social media. There appears to be a weapon on the floor beside him.
The French Interior Ministry initially reported that was a “grave public security incident” in the vicinity of the Louvre museum. The area was then sealed off.
The attacker’s remarks led police to believe that he had intended to carry out a terrorist attack.
"We are dealing with an attack from an individual who was clearly aggressive and represented a direct threat, and whose comments lead us to believe that he wished to carry out a terrorist incident," said Cadot.
The attacker is believed to have acted alone. Two machetes have been found at the scene, according to AP.
French anti-terror police are now looking into the incident, with Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve saying the attack was “clearly of a terrorist nature.”
Five shots were fired at the attacker. It is understood that he sustained injuries to his legs or in the abdomen; police say they are quite serious.
The attacker has not been identified yet.
A second person has been detained at the scene following suspicious behavior.
The soldier who had been attacked sustained a slight scalp injury. Another soldier was reportedly wounded in the belly; Le Parisien newspaper says this is a more serious injury.
The nearby Palais Royal Musee du Louvre metro station was briefly closed due to the incident, witnesses said on Twitter.
The square in front of the Louvre was partially evacuated while bomb disposal officers were sent to the scene, Europe 1 radio reported. No explosives were found.
Louvre officials also closed the museum and kept visitors inside from leaving. There were about 1,000 visitors at the museum at the time of the incident, according to officials.
https://www.rt.com/news/376165-paris-louvre-suitcase-shooting/
