Paris: knife attack in the 2nd arrondissement

On Saturday evening, at around 9.00 pm, a man stabbed several people on Rue Monsigny (2nd arrondissement of Paris). The police initially attempted to subdue the man using a taser, but he then attacked the officers, who were forced to use their firearms to subdue him. According to the spokesperson for the Paris Police Headquarters, there is one fatality, two people in critical condition and two others in serious condition. The attacker has died; forensic officers are on the scene attempting to establish his identity. The victims have been taken to the Georges Pompidou European Hospital, and the Minister of the Interior is visiting them. A security cordon has been set up and the “Quatre Septembre” metro station has been closed. The Paris Public Prosecutor, François Molins, visited the scene and subsequently made a statement:

• The case has been referred to the anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office.
• The Paris Regional Judicial Police Service – comprising the Criminal Investigation Brigade, the Anti-Terrorism Sub-Directorate of the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police, and the Directorate-General for Internal Security – is in charge of the investigation.
• The attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar" during the attack.

Facebook has activated its "Safety Check" feature. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for this attack.  

Assault in #Paris : I commend the composure and swift response of the police, who subdued the attacker. My first thoughts are with the victims of this heinous act.

— Gérard Collomb (@gerardcollomb) 12 May 2018

🔴 Following an attack in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement, the Prefect of Police, Michel Delpuech, wishes to assure the victims and their families of his support. He also spoke with the police officers who subdued the attacker to commend their actions.

— Paris Police Headquarters (@prefpolice) 12 May 2018

🔴 Five people were attacked in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement by a man armed with a knife: one victim has died, two are seriously injured and two have suffered minor injuries. The attacker has died.

— Paris Police Headquarters (@prefpolice) 12 May 2018

More information to follow.