Paris, France – French authorities announced Friday they have launched an urgent investigation following a knife attack targeting gendarmes near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
A soldier sustained minor injuries in the attack. Meanwhile, the suspect was shot by a member of the security forces.
He was then taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Details of the attack
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the attack was carried out by a man who,
for unknown reasons, attempted to assault gendarmes with a knife in the Champs-Élysées.
He added that one of the officers was forced to use his firearm to neutralize the attacker.
The attack occurred as soldiers were preparing to light the torch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
One soldier sustained a minor hand injury as a result of the attack.
The French anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office confirmed it had been notified of the incident.
As a result, it decided to open an urgent investigation to determine the circumstances, given the suspicion of a possible terrorist motive.
security records
According to French media, the suspect was known to police.
He had previously contacted a police station threatening to carry out an attack in Paris targeting military personnel.
Media sources indicated that the attacker had previously been involved in a terrorist attack in Belgium.
He was under individual administrative surveillance in France.
Moreover, searches of his mobile phone allowed investigators to locate him
in the Grande Armée area near the Place de l’Étoile before the attack.
French authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover the full motives behind the incident.
They are also trying to determine whether he had any links to extremist networks.
