France: Anti-terrorism probe launched into Paris attack June 6 /update 3

Event

French Interior Minister Gérard Collomb announced that an anti-terrorism probe has been launched to investigate the attack on a police officer near the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Tuesday, June 6. According to Collomb, the suspected assailant yelled “it’s for Syria” as he attacked police officers patrolling in front of the cathedral. Police officers found kitchen knives, a hammer, and other weapons on the suspect. Officials believe that the attacker acted alone.

Context

At approximately 16:45 (local time) on June 6 police officials announced that a security operation was ongoing at the Notre Dame cathedral. A man lightly wounded an officer with a hammer before being shot by responding police officers. Both the officer and the suspected are being treated at the hospital. Security forces locked down the area while investigating the incident.

France has been under a state of emergency since the November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks in the Paris region that killed 130 people. More recently, a shooting targeting French police on the Avenue des Champs Elysées left one officer dead on April 20.

Advice

Individuals in Paris are advised to monitor the situation, remain vigilant, and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities.