PARIS, Jan. 7 (UPI) — Paris police shot and killed a knife-wielding man who reportedly attempted to attack an officer at a police station on Thursday while wearing what was later determined to be a fake suicide belt.
The incident occurred outside Paris police’s Goutte d’Or station in the city’s 18th arrondissement, NBC News reported. Armed police and numerous emergency-service vehicles surrounded the area.
Eric LeJoindre, the 18th arrondissement mayor, said he was en route to the scene. Schools in the neighborhood have been locked down.
A Ministry of Interior spokesman told BFM TV a man attempted to attack a police officer with a knife while shouting “allahu akbar” — translating to “God is great” from Arabic — before he was shot dead. It appeared the man was wearing a suicide belt, which a security robot later determined was fake.
The reported attack comes on the anniversary of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo massacre. The entire incident claimed 17 lives and lasted several days, paralyzing the city of Paris and focusing the world’s attention on terrorism in European cities.
French President Francois Hollande is scheduled to participate in a ceremony at Paris’ police headquarters on Thursday to commemorate the anniversary of the event.
