Paris knife attacker kills 4 people at police headquarters

By Eliza Mackintosh, CNN

Updated 12:26 p.m. ET, October 3, 2019
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11:58 a.m. ET, October 3, 2019

Tragedy strikes Paris police headquarters

Four police employees were killed in a knife attack at Paris police headquarters on Thursday, according to city prosecutor Remy Heitz.

The three policemen and a female police administrative worker were killed by a fellow member of staff, who was later shot dead, authorities told CNN.

The incident took place inside the building, which is located near Notre Dame Cathedral on the Île de la Cité in central Paris.

One victim is undergoing surgery, said French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner. He did not elaborate on the victim's condition or injuries.

Read the full story here.

11:49 a.m. ET, October 3, 2019

Attacker's wife taken into custody

From CNN's Saskya Vandoorne

The wife of the attacker who killed four of his colleagues at the Paris police headquarters Thursday has been taken into custody, according to a source inside the Paris prosecutor's office.

It is unclear whether she was at the scene of the attack or why she was taken into custody.

The source asked not to be named discussing an ongoing investigation.

The 45-year-old man, a longtime administrative employee, was shot dead during his stabbing rampage. His motive is not yet known.

11:26 a.m. ET, October 3, 2019

Paris metro station near attack has re-opened

From CNN’s Arnaud Siad

The Cité metro station in Paris has re-opened, the French metro said in a tweet.

The metro station had been closed as a security measure following the knife attack inside Paris' police headquarters.

11:13 a.m. ET, October 3, 2019

Three men, one woman dead in Paris attack

From CNN's Arnaud Siad

Three policemen and one female police administrative employee were killed in the attack, Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said in a brief press conference on Thursday.

One person injured in the knife attack is undergoing surgery now, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said. He did not elaborate on the victim’s condition or injuries.

10:47 a.m. ET, October 3, 2019

Attacker was 45-year-old man, employed by police since 2003

From CNN's Arnaud Siad

The individual who attacked Paris' police headquarters, killing four people, was a 45-year-old man, French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said in a press conference Thursday.

The attacker had been employed by the police in an administrative capacity since 2003.

10:17 a.m. ET, October 3, 2019

France's former interior minister shares his condolences in emotional tweet

France's former interior minister Gerard Collomb has expressed his condolences to the victims of the Paris attack in an emotional tweet.

“I’ve learned with emotion the tragedy that occurred at the beginning of the afternoon at the police headquarters of Paris. All my thoughts are of course with the families of the victims,” Collomb, who is now mayor of Lyon, said.

“I also want to express my support to all the staff, whose emotions I can’t even imagine at this moment," he added.

9:54 a.m. ET, October 3, 2019

What we know about the knife attack

  • Who was targeted: At least four people were killed in the knife attack inside Paris' police headquarters.
  • The attacker: The attacker, a longtime police employee, was shot dead. The individual's motive is still unknown.
  • Where was the attack? The attack was carried out inside the city's police headquarters on Île de la Cité. The island in the center of Paris, where the Notre Dame cathedral is also situated, has been on lockdown following the assault.
  • Response: French President Emmanuel Macron is at the scene, along with his interior minster and deputy interior minister. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has shared her condolences, saying the city's council would pay tribute to the victims.
  • Security presence: Security officials, police, firemen and other emergency responders are out in force on Île de la Cité, and all roads leading to the island have been cordoned off.

9:23 a.m. ET, October 3, 2019

Macron on the scene of deadly attack

From CNN's Saskya Vandoorne

French President Emmanuel Macron is now at the site of the deadly attack on Paris' police headquarters.

"The President of the Republic went to the police station to show his support and solidarity to all the staff," the Elysee Palace said in a statement.

Macron is accompanied by French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.