©Paul MARSAN via Unsplash
Three women were attacked with knives on Monday in Paris near Porte de Clichy, in the northwest of the city. One of the victims is pregnant. None of the victims is in life-threatening condition.
The attack occurred in the late morning, when a man armed with two kitchen knives attacked three women on the street. The victims are 19, 24, and 36 years old, according to French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Two women sustained serious injuries, including to the abdomen and lower back, but their condition is stable.
Mental health issues
The suspect was arrested at the scene shortly after the attack by an off-duty police officer. According to initial reports, the suspect is a 31-year-old man who may have mental health issues. Authorities are still investigating his exact motive. Initially, a terrorist motive was also considered. According to French media, the man shouted during the attack that “Allah had sent him to kill women.” However, that line of inquiry appears to have been quickly ruled out, as the suspect’s mental state has come to the forefront. An investigation into attempted murder has been opened, not into terrorism. Footage circulating after the attack shows the man, dressed in a beige outfit and with long black hair, running down the street with two knives and attacking a young woman. In other footage, he is seen lying on the ground, subdued by the police.
The attack has caused widespread alarm in Paris, especially since it was a brazen street attack in broad daylight. The fact that a pregnant woman was among the victims makes the case particularly sensitive. Police are continuing their investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the attack and the suspect’s background.
©Paul MARSAN via Unsplash - illustrative image of police officers in Paris.