3 dead in Paris attack
3 more wounded in shooting near Kurdish culture center
At least three people were killed and several more wounded after a gunman unleashed violence in a Kurdish cultural center in Paris and several other locations on Friday.
A motive behind the gunfire remained unclear, but authorities are investigating whether racism played a factor.
A 69-year-old French man — who recently served prison time for a sword attack on migrants living in tents — was detained in connection with the shooting. He was also wounded amid the chaos and remains hospitalized, officials said.His condition was unknown.
The shooting unfolded on a busy street with shops and restaurants, first near the Gare de l’Est train station by the cultural center, then a restaurant and a hair salon. It came at a time when Paris is bustling with activity ahead of the Christmas weekend.
Activist Murat Roni said the center where the shooting started is “like the embassy for Kurds in Paris.” It serves as a gathering place for cultural events, political discussion, assistance with immigration procedures, as well as “a house where all Kurds get together.”
“We do not at all feel protected in Paris,” Roni added. “We don’t feel defended by the French justice system. It’s clearly the Kurds who were targeted.”
Of those wounded, one was in critical condition and two others were hospitalized with less serious injuries, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said.
The seemingly targeted attack sparked skirmishes and protests in Paris throughout the day. Members of the Kurdish community shouted slogans condemning the Turkish government while some lit trash bins on fire. Police later unleashed tear gas to disperse the crowd before tensions could boil over.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the attacker was clearly shooting at foreigners, but that police don’t have evidence indicating he was specifically targeting Kurds.
He added the gunman does not appear on any radicalism watch lists, nor has he been linked to any extreme-right or other political movements.
Beccuau said anti-terrorism prosecutors are in contact with investigators, but have yet to uncover any evidence suggesting a terrorist motive.