Three women stabbed in Paris knife attack near Porte de Clichy; suspect arrested

The attack

At around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, a man armed with two kitchen knives attacked three women near Porte de Clichy, a northwestern gateway to Paris. The Paris police prefecture (PP) said the suspect was quickly arrested and a security perimeter was established. The victims were taken in charge by emergency services and transported to hospital. The attack occurred in a street, and some reports mentioned a nearby brasserie.

An individual armed with two bladed weapons has made several wounded. He was quickly arrested.

None of the three injured women has a life-threatening prognosis. Two of them are nevertheless in absolute emergency, so they are quite seriously injured.

Victims and injuries

The three women are aged 19, 24 and 36, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who spoke at the midday Council of Ministers. One victim suffered a stab wound to the lumbar region, another to the abdomen. The third woman was more lightly injured. Nuñez said the two seriously wounded are in absolute emergency, meaning they are quite seriously injured but their lives are not in danger. Le Parisien reported that one of the victims was pregnant; French officials did not confirm a pregnancy.

Suspect and arrest

The suspect, a 31-year-old man, gave only a declarative identity and was making incoherent remarks, Nuñez told reporters. He was arrested by an off-duty officer of the Paris police prefecture, whom the minister praised for his courage. "He was arrested by a police officer of the Paris police prefecture off duty. I salute his courage," Nuñez said. A video circulating on social media showed the suspect being held by bystanders before the arrest, appearing disoriented, and saying "Allah ordered me," according to at least one source. The national antiterrorist prosecutor's office said it is observing the procedure conducted by the Paris prosecutor's office.

We must remain very cautious about the motives of this extremely violent act. The individual is making incoherent remarks.

Investigation

The antiterrorist sub-directorate indicated there is no terrorist character at this stage, and the Paris prosecutor's office is leading the investigation. Le Parisien reported that the suspect has mental health problems. No further details about his background have been released. The prefecture of police said the suspect was armed with two bladed weapons and made several victims. A security perimeter was set up at the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.