Alarm in Paris: Knife-wielding attacker shot and stopped at train station

An incident reminiscent of fears of a terrorist attack occurred in Paris, the capital of France. On Friday afternoon, as a train arriving from the city of Rennes pulled into Paris Montparnasse Station, a 44-year-old man who disembarked began threatening those around him with a knife in his hand.

While panic broke out among passengers, police teams on patrol at the scene intervened quickly. Despite repeated warnings from the police officers who secured the area, the attacker held the knife to his own throat. When he continued to advance toward the officers, a police officer from the railway security unit opened fire. The attacker was neutralized after being struck in the leg by a bullet.

The seriously injured man was taken to the hospital, and the Paris Prosecutor's Office announced that his condition is serious but not life-threatening. It was reported that a stray bullet struck a passenger in the foot during the incident and that the injured person is in good health.

In a statement from the Prosecutor's Office, it was noted that the attacker had been sentenced to 18 months in prison by the Créteil Criminal Court last September for "domestic violence" and "death threats," with the sentence suspended under a two-year probation period. It was stated that the individual had traveled from Rennes to Paris in violation of a restraining order, planning to harm his wife and children.

Two separate investigations have been launched into the incident. While a judicial investigation is being conducted against the suspect for "attempted murder of a public official," the police officer's use of force is being reviewed by the National Police General Inspectorate (IGPN). The Prosecutor's Office announced that there is no link to terrorism in the incident. Following the event, Paris Montparnasse Station was briefly evacuated, and temporary disruptions occurred in train services. It was reported that services returned to normal by the evening hours.

Meanwhile, this incident, occurring during the 10th-anniversary commemoration week of the November 13, 2015, Paris terrorist attacks, has heightened security concerns in the city and caused panic among passengers.

News Source: İHA