Two people were killed and four injured this Friday following gunshots in Paris, rue d’Enghien, in the 10th arrondissement. Among the injured, two are in absolute emergency. A man was arrested according to a police source. He himself is “in relative urgency”, said Alexandra Cordebard, the mayor of the 10th on BFMTV.
According to our information, the shooting took place in the Kurdish Cultural Center Ahmet-Kaya, at 16 rue d’Enghien. There were also shootings in a restaurant and at a hairdresser, according to Alexandra Cordebard present at the scene.
The suspect is a 69-year-old retiree
The 69-year-old suspect opened fire at several people. Of French nationality, he would be a retiree from the SNCF, where he worked as a driver. During his arrest, the police got their hands on the weapon that he used to shoot. We do not yet know anything about his motives.
The man was known for two attempted homicides. According to BFMTV, he attacked a migrant center in the 2nd arrondissement with a saber in 2021.
An investigation has been opened into the counts of murder, intentional homicide and aggravated violence. The investigations have for the time being entrusted to the criminal brigade of the judicial police (PJ) of Paris.
On Twitter, the police headquarters asks Parisians to “avoid the area” and “let the emergency services intervene” in this district which includes the Grand Rex or the Porte Saint-Denis. The surroundings have also been cordoned off and residents are invited to remain confined.
“A psychological cell will open in the town hall of the 10th,” Anne Hidalgo announced on Twitter after the tragedy. The mayor of Paris also thanked the police “for their decisive intervention”, addressing her “moved thoughts to the victims and their families”.
On Twitter, the Minister of the Interior announces that he is returning to Paris this Friday. “Following the dramatic shooting that took place this morning, I am returning to Paris and will go there. All my thoughts go out to the loved ones of the victims. The author was arrested, ”confirms Gérald Darmanin.