Paris Panic: A Knife, an Iron Bar, and a Bad Day
A 30‑year‑old Afghan national has been arrested for trying to turn a bustling Paris street into a terror scene—except the authorities say there’s no evidence it was a coordinated terrorist plot so far.
What Happened
- The incident erupted late Sunday in the Stalingrad district of northeastern Paris, where the attacker used a knife and an iron bar to strike seven people, including two British tourists and an Egyptian visitor.
- Local bystanders, in a makeshift show of heroism, threw hefty metal petanque balls at the assailant, helping to overtake him.
⁂ - By the time the police arrived, the suspect was unconscious and was immediately transported to a hospital.
The Investigation
Police authorities, when briefing a judge on Wednesday, formally charged the man with attempted murder and noted that he first arrived in France in June.
Authorities have yet to pin down a motive, and the investigation remains inconclusive on whether the assault was driven by extremist ideologies.
France’s Security Landscape
After a string of deadly jihadist attacks—more than 240 fatalities since the 2015 Charlie Hebdo incident—France remains on high alert. Yet, at this stage, officials point out there’s no indication this attack was part of a larger terror network.
