Man attacks officer with hammer

Assailant, shouting ‘This is for Syria’ shot soon after outside iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

PARIS — 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 police first secured the streets around it, then combed the pews while visitors sat with their hands raised for the check.

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 threeperson 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 a student identity card indicating he was from Algeria, Collomb said. He said authorities were working to verify the card’s authenticity.

“We have passed from a very sophisticated terrorism to a terrorism where any instrument can be used for attacks,” the interior minister said.

Police officials said the attacker was about 40 years old.

Authorities told people to stay away from the area and some took refuge inside the cathedral.

The attack came the day before new President Emmanuel Macron unveils his first efforts against terrorism, which Collomb called the president’s top priority.

Paris remains under high security after a string of Islamic extremist attacks in recent years.