French police are warning the public to stay away from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after an Algerian man attacked police with a hammer while screaming ‘this is for Syria!’
A suspect armed with a hammer was shot and injured by police on Tuesday. Police have not released his name to the public yet.
Via The Daily Mail:
An Algerian student shouted ‘this is for Syria’ as he attacked a police officer outside Paris‘s Notre Dame Cathedral on Tuesday afternoon.
The man, whose name has not been released, was shot and injured by police after he used a hammer to attack an officer patrolling with two other policemen at 4.30pm local time.
The officer responded with two gunshots, which injured the assailant, who was carrying kitchen knives, a hammer and other unsophisticated weapons.
Paris prosecutors opened a counterterrorism investigation soon after the attack.
French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb says the attacker cried ‘it’s for Syria’ as he went after officers patrolling an esplanade in front of the famous landmark.
It is being reported by Agent France-Press that the suspect claimed to be ‘soldier of the caliphate’
Notre-Dame : après l’agression, l’assaillant “s’est revendiqué être un soldat du califat” du groupe EI (source proche enquête) #AFP
— Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) June 6, 2017
Below is a screenshot of the post by Agent France-Press with English translation:
BREAKING: French policeman fires on man ‘armed with hammer’ at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris https://t.co/1iCHyMhwbh
— Voice of Europe (@V_of_Europe) June 6, 2017
Man who attacked an officer with a hammer near the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris said he is a “soldier of the caliphate.”
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) June 6, 2017
French Minister Gérard Collomb: Notre Dame cathedral attacker said “This is for Syria.” pic.twitter.com/cDeOD3csEK
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) June 6, 2017
Photo of the Algerian terrorist on the ground after being shot by French police:
Notre-Dame cathedral attacker laying on the ground after being shot by Paris police. pic.twitter.com/ue01ftHPdI
— Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) June 6, 2017