Oct. 3 (UPI) — Four Paris police officers were killed Thursday in an attack by a knife-wielding employee at police headquarters, authorities said.
The attack occurred in a section of the Paris station that is not accessible to the public.
Multiple others were injured in the assault, police said. Police shot the attacker dead immediately after the assault began, officials said.
French President Emmanuel Macron was on the scene of the deadly attack Thursday afternoon. He was joined by French Prime Minister Edouard Phillippe, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and Depurty Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo confirmed that “several police officers” lost their lives. Officials will pay tribute to them at the Paris Council meeting.
“Paris cries for its own this afternoon after this terrible attack at the @prefpolice,” Hidalgo posted on Twitter. “Heavy casualties, several police officers lost their lives. On my behalf and that of Parisians, my first thoughts go to the families of the victims and their loved ones.”
“The President of the Republic went to the police station to show his support and solidarity to all the staff,” the Elysee Palace said in a statement.
The administrative employee has been with the department for 20 years, police union secretary Loic Travers said.
Investigators said the attacker used a ceramic knife. Authorities weren’t initially certain of a motive, but French media reported it may have been the result of a personal vendetta.
The Paris police headquarters is near the Notre Dame Cathedral, which burned earlier this year. Police cordoned off the area surrounding the station.
The attack follows a rally in Paris Wednesday, in which thousands of the city’s officers protested what they consider insufficient wages and long hours.
