Attacker uses hammer on officers near Notre Dame Cathedral
An assailant wielding a hammer attacked Paris police guarding Notre Dame Cathedral Tuesday, crying “This is for Syria” before being shot and wounded by officers outside one of France’s most popular tourist sites, authorities said.
At least 600 people were blocked inside the iconic 12th century church, while others fled in panic from the sprawling esplanade outside as police combed the area in the centre of the French capital.
The assault was the latest act of violence targeting security forces at high-profile sites in France, which remains under a state of emergency after a string of Islamic extremist attacks.
Interior Minister Gerard Collomb told reporters that a police officer in a three-person patrol was lightly wounded in the attack,
and the assailant was shot and wounded by a fellow officer. The attacker’s condition was being evaluated.
“A person came up behind the police officers, armed with a hammer, and started to hit the police officer,” he said.
The man cried “This is for Syria!” but said nothing else indicating a motive or a link to extremist groups, Collomb said. No group immediately claimed responsibility, and Collomb said he appeared to have acted alone. A hammer and kitchen knives were found on the assailant, as well as documents suggesting he was an Algerian student, Collomb said. He said authorities were working to verify his identity.
“We have passed from a very sophisticated terrorism to a terrorism where any instrument can be used for attacks,” he said.
The incident happened around 4:20 p.m. A large number of police cars descended on the Ile de Cite island in the Seine River, where the celebrated cathedral is located.
Authorities told people to stay away from the area and some took refuge inside the cathedral.