Three people were killed and at least four others were injured after a gunman opened fire in and around a Kurdish cultural center on a busy Paris street on Friday, multiple outlets report.
A 69-year-old unnamed suspect was detained and transported to a local hospital after the attack, pertheWall Street Journal.The man is now reportedly in custody on suspicion of murder, voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.
Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau told reporters that the suspect was previously known to police and had, in fact, been recently released from prison after he allegedly attacked local migrant tents with a sword,according to BBC.com.
“We saw an old white man enter, then start shooting in the Kurdish cultural centre, then he went to the hairdresser’s next door,” a local restaurant staffer toldAgence France-Presse, per BBC.com.
The shooting, which occurred on rue d’Enghien, a crowded shopping hub in the city’s bustling 10th Arrondissement, has not been classified as an act of terrorism at this point. However, prosecutors are reportedly investigating whether it may have been racially motivated.
The scene of today’s shooting in Paris.
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“Thoughts for the victims and those who witnessed this drama,” Paris' Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire tweeted after the violence.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin is reportedly now heading to the scene to observe the aftermath.
This is a developing story.
source: people.com
