At least two wounded in knife attack near former Charlie Hebdo offices in Paris



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An ambulance arrives at the scene after people were injured in a knife attack near the former offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.

Thibault Camus / AP

An ambulance arrives at the scene after people were injured in a knife attack near the former offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo.

At least two people were injured in a knife attack near the former offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France.

The attack occurred on Friday morning (local time). A suspect has been arrested.

A Paris police official said that while authorities initially thought there were two attackers involved, they now believe that only one person was detained near the Place de la Bastille in eastern Paris.

French soldiers patrol the street after the knife attack.

Thibault Camus / AP

French soldiers patrol the street after the knife attack.

The official said police are still searching the area while they question the arrested suspect.

Police initially announced that four people were injured in the attack, but the official said The Associated Press that in fact there are only two confirmed injuries. Police could not explain the discrepancies.

READ MORE:
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* Timeline of Charlie Hebdo’s terrorist attack

It is unclear what motivated Friday’s attack or if he had any ties to Charlie Hebdo, who moved its offices after they were attacked by Islamic extremists in 2015, killing 12 people inside.

AP reporters at the scene of Friday’s police operation saw officers flood the neighborhood near the Richard Lenoir subway station. Police cordoned off the area, including Charlie Hebdo’s former offices, after a suspicious package was noticed nearby, according to the police officer.

Riot police officers arrive after the knife attack.

Thibault Camus / AP

Riot police officers arrive after the knife attack.

Police did not release the identities of the attacker or the injured, who are in “absolutely urgent” condition, the official said. The official was not authorized to be named publicly.

Prime Minister Jean Castex interrupted a visit to a northern suburb of Paris to address the Ministry of the Interior to follow developments.

The trial for the Charlie Hebdo attacks is ongoing in the city. The murmurs broke out at the terrorism trial of 14 people, including 3 fugitives, accused of aiding the attackers in the January 2015 killings, news leaked. The widows of the Charlie Hebdo attackers are scheduled to testify Friday afternoon.

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