A shooting that occurred in central Paris on Friday has left at least two dead and four people injured, according to reports, who confirm that the suspect has since been arrested. Per the Daily Mail, a 69-year-old retired train driver opened fire at the Ahmet-Kaya Kurdish Cultural Centre near Gare du Nord.
Witnesses said they heard about seven to eight gunshots being fired before “total panic” broke out and people began to run through the streets to get away from the shooter. “We locked ourselves inside [the shops],” a nearby worker said as police quickly rushed to the scene.
In Paris, a 60-year-old man opened fire on passers-by
As a result of the shooting, 2 people were killed and 6 were injured. The shooter was arrested. pic.twitter.com/Y9hN4wsEBN
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 23, 2022
“A gun attack has taken place. Thank you to the security forces for their swift action,” Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire wrote on Twitter after it was confirmed that the shooter had been arrested. “Thoughts for the victims and those who witnessed this drama.” People in the area of Rue d’Enghien have been urged to stay away as law enforcement officials are investigating what the suspect’s motive was behind the senseless crime.
At this stage, police have not commented on whether the incident could have stemmed from a possible terrorist motive. France has an extensive history of being targeted by deadly attacks, including 2015 and 2016 when the country was hit with several terrorism-related violence and shootings.
A local resident explained how onlookers began to panic the minute they heard the first couple of gunshots, recalling, “There were in a panic who were shouting at the police: ‘He’s there, he’s there, come on!’ by pointing out a hairdressing salon.”
An injured person is taken for treatment from the scene of a shooting in 10th district of Paris that reportedly left two dead and others injured. A Kurdish centre was reportedly targeted. pic.twitter.com/diXqnHYd0X
— Rory Mulholland (@mulhollandrory) December 23, 2022
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Prosecutors have now opened an investigation into the intentional homicide, murder, and aggravated violence, with stretchers being brought to the scene to aid the victims who were either critically or fatally injured.
Back in November 2015, 137 people were killed at several venues in France after suicide bombers associated with the ISIS terrorist clan targeted multiple areas in the country. It became the deadliest single terrorist attack the country had ever been exposed to.