Paris, July 18, 2024 — A police officer was critically injured and an assailant was shot dead on Thursday afternoon near the iconic Champs-Élysées in Paris, in a violent confrontation that unfolded amidst heightened security just days before the 2024 Olympic Games.
The incident occurred in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, close to the Louis Vuitton store, where the assailant had reportedly been refused entry.
According to police sources who spoke to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on the condition of anonymity, the attacker, armed with a knife, confronted law enforcement officers responding to the scene.
The confrontation quickly escalated when the assailant, after being turned away, fled with the knife and managed to wound a policeman in the ear.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed his “unwavering support” for the injured officer and the police force via X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“At the sight of the police, the man fled with a knife in his hand and, during a U-turn, wounded a policeman in the ear,” Darmanin explained. The exact extent of the officer’s injuries has not been publicly disclosed, but it is understood to be severe.
The assailant’s attack on the officer came after he had been unsuccessfully attempting to gain entry into the luxury store.
Jeanne d’Hauteserre, the conservative mayor of the 8th arrondissement, elaborated on the situation, stating that the assailant was initially involved in an altercation with police who were attempting to detain a pickpocket.
The pickpocket, armed with a knife, wounded one of the officers in the arm. In response, another officer shot the attacker in the stomach.
The assailant was subsequently resuscitated and taken to the hospital but later succumbed to his injuries. A source from the prosecutor’s office, who requested anonymity, confirmed that a criminal investigation has been launched into the attack on the police officer.
The area around the Champs-Élysées was quickly cordoned off with police tape, and several police and gendarmerie vehicles were deployed to secure the scene.
A mine-clearance truck was also seen near the area, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident. Passers-by were kept at a distance as the gendarmes worked to control the scene.
This violent incident comes at a time of heightened security in Paris, with the city preparing for the 2024 Olympic Games set to commence in just eight days.
The French capital is expected to deploy up to 45,000 police officers to ensure the safety and security of the event, highlighting the city’s increased vigilance in the face of potential threats.
Linda Kebbab, national secretary of the Un1té police union, publicly thanked the officer who responded to the attack. “Thank you to the colleague who fought back and neutralized the assailant. He has been in the field for 2 days and has already been thrown into the reality of the situation,” Kebbab said on X.
As the investigation continues, Paris remains on high alert, with law enforcement agencies and the public bracing for what is expected to be a highly scrutinized period as the Olympics approach.
The violent event underscores the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in ensuring public safety in a city known for its historical significance and global events.
Leave a Comment