On July 18, 2024, just eight days before the opening of the Olympic Games, a French police officer was injured in a knife attack near the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The incident unfolded when police responded to a call from security guards at a Louis Vuitton store in the 8th arrondissement, a popular tourist area.The attacker, identified as a 27-year-old Senegalese national known to the police, initially fled the scene with a knife but then suddenly turned and stabbed an officer in the neck area. In response, another officer opened fire, critically wounding the assailant. The injured police officer was hospitalized with severe neck and cervical spine injuries, but his life is not in danger.Paris Police Chief Laurent Nuñez stated that there was ‘no terrorist motivation, nor a link to the Olympics’ behind the attack. However, the incident has heightened tensions as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games, set to begin on July 26. In response to potential security threats, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced contingency plans, including the possibility of moving the opening ceremony to the Olympic Stadium if a terrorist threat emerges.This attack comes amid a series of security measures being implemented across Paris. The French government has mobilized 35,000 police officers and 18,000 soldiers to provide security during the Games. Additionally, a security perimeter has been established around the Seine River near the site of the Olympic opening ceremony.As the investigation continues, authorities have opened a criminal probe into attempted murder of a police officer. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges facing Paris as it prepares to welcome millions of visitors for the Olympic Games.
Key points
- A French police officer was stabbed near the Champs-Élysées in Paris, just days before the Olympic Games.
- The attacker, a 27-year-old Senegalese national, was critically wounded by police gunfire.
- Authorities claim no terrorist motive or link to the Olympics, but the incident has raised security concerns.
- France has mobilized 35,000 police officers and 18,000 soldiers for Olympic security.
Contradictions👾While most sources report the police officer’s life is not in danger, one source describes the officer as being in critical condition.
👾There are conflicting reports about whether the attacker was killed or critically injured by police gunfire.
