BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Marines Foil Terror Attack On French Commuter Train

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Photo: United Press International

ARRAS, France, Aug. 21 (UPI) — What officials believe would certainly have been a bloody massacre aboard a commuter train to Paris on Friday was foiled by two attentive U.S. marines, who became suspicious of the suspect’s behavior and literally caught him loading an assault rifle, authorities said.

The two plainclothes marines were riding the Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris Friday when they became suspicious of the supposed gunman, who investigators said turned out to be a Moroccan national.

The marines confronted the man as the train was passing through Belgium, officials say, literally catching him off-guard as he loaded an AK-47 assault rifle. Also holding a handgun, the suspect reportedly shot one of the marines before he was physically subdued.

In addition to the marine’s gunshot wound, two passengers on the train were injured in the gunfire, CNN reported Friday. News media reported that none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening — but Britain’s Telegraph reported that the two injured passengers are in critical condition.

French actor Jean-Hugues Anglade was also reportedly injured in the assault, suffering a minor hand injury.

Officials said the gunman carried an automatic assault rifle and a “bladed” weapon.

The train stopped in the town of Arras, about 115 miles north of Paris, and the gunman was taken into custody. All passengers were evacuated from the train there.

French authorities are investigating the suspect, who was not immediately identified, and believe he was carrying out a “lone wolf” terror attack. It wasn’t initially clear where the gunman’s loyalties lie — but officials said he was already known to European and French authorities as an ISIS sympathizer.

French officials said the suspect is 26 years old, but didn’t give his name. They believe he may also support other terrorist factions.

Calling it an “attack of barbaric violence,” France Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said French authorities are investigating the attack — which officials believe almost assuredly would have resulted in mass murder and numerous injuries if it wasn’t for the actions of the marines on board.

Cazeneuve said the marines were “particularly courageous and showed great bravery in very difficult circumstances.”

The Pentagon confirmed the Americans’ presence on the train, although it didn’t confirm their identities or military status.

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