A gunman has opened fire in central Paris, killing three people and wounding three others. The attacker targeted a Kurdish cultural centre and shot members of the local community. A possible racist motive is being investigated.
A suspect, aged 69, was quickly arrested and it soon emerged he had been freed from prison recently.
Authorities appealed for people to avoid the area in Strasbourg-Saint Denis in the 10th district of Paris.
The Kurdish Democratic Council in France (CDF-K), which runs the centre that was hit, condemned the attack in a short statement, said BBC. It also said there would be a vigil on Friday evening to pay tribute to those killed.
There is no confirmed motive for the shooting, but Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the suspect had previously been charged with racist violence.
That incident – in which he attacked tents at a migrant camp in Paris with a sword – took place at Bercy on 8 December 2021. It was not clear why he had recently been released.
Le Monde newspaper quoted Agit Polat, a spokesperson for the centre, as saying French authorities had “once more” failed to protect Kurdish people in Paris.
Clashes later broke out between police and a large group who had gathered at the scene in the aftermath of the attack.
Footage showed people starting a fire in the middle of the street and throwing chairs and other objects, with officers clad in riot gear responding by throwing tear gas.
Local Mayor Alexandra Cordebard said the suspect was also wounded in the shooting and that three places had come under fire: the Kurdish community centre, a restaurant and a hairdresser. Two people were shot in the salon.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the murders had been committed by a “far-right activist”. She added: “Kurds wherever they reside must be able to live in peace and security. More than ever, Paris is by their side in these dark times.” /Argumentum.al
