Man attacks Paris police with a hammer ‘for Syria’

PARIS — An assailant wielding a hammer attacked Paris police guarding Notre Dame Cathedral on 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. Others fled in panic from the sprawling esplanade outside the cathedral.

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.

Authorities told people to stay away from the area and some took refuge inside the cathedral. People inside Notre Dame, the nearby Sainte-Chapelle and area bars and cafes were told to stay inside while the police operation was underway.

Among the several hundred people ordered to remain inside the cathedral was former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nancy Soderberg. She was admiring the church’s stained glass windows when an announcement came on urging those inside to stay calm as police dealt with an incident outside.