One dead and Brit injured 'after man came from behind with hammer' in Paris
A Brit has been injured and another tourist has died in a hammer and knife attack close to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The victim from the UK is believed to have been attacked from behind with a hammer while walking through the French capital with his family. France's Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed "passers-by" were assaulted in the Quai de Grenelle area.
Police Tasered the attacker, identified as a 25-year-old French citizen who had spent four years in prison for a violent crime. After his arrest, he expressed anguish about Muslims dying, notably in the Palestinian territories, and claimed that France was an accomplice, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. The knifeman apparently cried "Allahu Akbar" (God is great), Darmanin added.
The British victim was struck in the head with a hammer after the knifeman approached from behind (AFP via Getty Images)"This person was ready to kill others," Darmanin told reporters. The attacker went after a German couple with a knife, killing the man. He then used a hammer to injure two others.
The attacker, who was not identified by name, left prison after four years in 2020 and was under surveillance and undergoing psychiatric treatment, the minister said, painting a brief portrait of the assailant, who was born in Neuilly-Sur-Seine, a Paris suburb.
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The attack happened in the 15th district of the French capital with the assailant using a knife to kill and a hammer to attack the injured. Details about the victims were not immediately known.
French police Tasered the suspect in the stomach before he was arrested after shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) (AFP via Getty Images)The attacker was stopped by police who twice fired a Taser at him in the stomach, the minister said, praising the officers for their quick response and reiterating that "there would doubtless have been others dead."
The dead person was found on the Bir-Hakeim bridge, between the 15th and 16th arrondissements in Paris, shortly before 10pm this evening. He died from a stab wound to his back and shoulder. Meanwhile the British tourist suffered a head injury on Avenue du President Kennedy after being attacked with a hammer. He is believed to have been walking with his wife and child when the attacker came up from behind him and struck him.
France's Interior Minister claimed the knifeman was "ready to kill others" had he not been tackled (AFP via Getty Images)A security cordon is currently in place by the incidents as police carry out investigations. Police are believed to have tasered the attacker who was arrested at Avenue du Parc de Passy.
France's Minister for Transport Clément Beaune wrote on X: "Paris is in mourning after this terrible attack. Thoughts and solidarity with the families and loved ones of the victims. Thank you to our security and rescue forces for their rapid and decisive intervention."
The attack happened in the 15th district of the French capital with the assailant using a knife and hammer (AFP via Getty Images)Mr Darmanin revealed that Armand R. was jailed for four years in 2016 for formulating an aborted terror attack plan, and was released in 2020. Since then he had lived with his parents in the Paris suburbs, while undergoing "psychiatric and neurological treatment".
During his time in custody he had frequently complained about "Muslims being killed in Afghanistan and Palestine". He had also referenced the current Israel-Hamas conflict, claiming that "France was complicit" with Israel in the massacre of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. An enquiry was launched following Saturday’s attack, with an area cordoned off close to the Eiffel Tower.
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