A tragic incident unfolded in the southern French city of Marseille, where a Tunisian national was shot dead by police after stabbing five people at a hotel and a nearby street.
The suspect, armed with two knives and a baton, ignored police warnings to drop his weapons, prompting the authorities to open fire with a taser and guns.
According to Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone, the attacker had been evicted from the hotel for unpaid rent and returned armed, attacking three people before attempting to stab the manager of a nearby snack bar.
Witnesses described hearing shots ring out in front of a kebab restaurant near the Old Port in Marseille shortly before 15:00 (13:00 GMT) on Tuesday.
The victims included the hotel manager and his son, who were stabbed, and one person in the hotel room who was attacked before the suspect’s rampage.
One of the victims stabbed at the hotel was in critical condition, while the other two were seriously wounded. Customers chased the suspect away from the restaurant on Cours Belsunce, a few minutes’ walk from the Old Port, before police arrived at the scene.
Nicolas Bessone described the suspected attacker as a Tunisian national who was legally resident in France but known to police. “He had been evicted from the hotel for unpaid rent and attacked one person in his old room, before stabbing the hotel manager and his son,” the prosecutor added.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau was due to visit the scene of the attack later on Tuesday. Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan expressed his full support to all those caught up in Tuesday’s attack and praised police for their quick response. “The security of the women and men of Marseille is my priority,” he wrote on social media.
The Marseille prosecutor, Nicolas Bessone, provided crucial details about the incident, shedding light on the suspect’s actions and the police response.
According to Bessone, the attacker, a Tunisian national legally residing in France, had a history with the police. The suspect’s motives are still under investigation, but the authorities are treating the incident as a serious assault.
The police responded swiftly to the attack, using a taser and guns to neutralize the suspect after he ignored warnings to drop his weapons.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene, with shots ringing out in front of a kebab restaurant near the Old Port. Customers chased the suspect away from the restaurant before the police arrived, showcasing the community’s instinct to respond to emergencies.
Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan expressed his full support to those affected by the attack, praising the police for their quick response.
“The security of the women and men of Marseille is my priority,” he emphasized on social media. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau was scheduled to visit the scene, underscoring the government’s concern for the situation.
The victims, including the hotel manager and his son, received medical attention for their injuries. One victim remained in critical condition, while two others were seriously wounded. The community and authorities are working together to provide support to those affected by the attack.