Paris knife attack suspect: All about the 32-year-old man who wounded three at Gare de Lyon station

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Paris Gare de Lyon knife attack: 3 wounded, suspect in custody
32-year-old assailant, known to have psychiatric troubles
Security concerns rise ahead of Paris Olympics after station incident

Written By:Jenel Treza

Updated: February 03 2024 03:49:36 PM ET

In a recent knife attack at Paris’ Gare de Lyon train station, a 32-year-old man wounded three people, causing alarm in the French capital ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games. The incident occurred on Saturday morning when the suspect, a Malian national with Italian residency papers, set fire to his rucksack before launching the attack with a knife and a hammer.

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There was a terrorist attack at the Lyon train station in Paris

A migrant from Mali attacked passers-by with a knife and a hammer injuring three people. According to the newspaper Le Parisien, the man set fire to his own backpack before the attack.

One man was seriously… pic.twitter.com/MQAyjA9nRG

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) February 3, 2024

Lyon train station (x/@nexta_tv)

One person suffered serious stomach wounds, requiring surgery, while two others sustained lighter injuries. The assailant was swiftly apprehended by transport security officers and bystanders. According to Paris police chief Laurent Nunez, the suspect, who has been living in Italy since 2016, appears to suffer from psychiatric troubles. Despite the ongoing investigation, authorities currently do not believe it to be a terrorist act.

The Paris prosecutor’s office is considering a potential preliminary charge of attempted murder against the suspect. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin condemned the attack, describing it as an “unbearable act.” Security in Paris has been a heightened concern as the city prepares to host the Olympics, deploying increased measures for the safety of the anticipated influx of visitors and athletes.

With a history of recent knife attacks in the city, including one near the Eiffel Tower in December, the incident underscores the security challenges faced by Paris. The 32-year-old suspect, now in custody, carried residency papers from Italy, allowing legal travel within Europe. Authorities stressed the need for vigilance, particularly as Paris gears up for the Games’ opening ceremony along the River Seine, where tens of thousands of police officers and soldiers are expected to be deployed to secure the event.

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While security forces moved swiftly to restore calm at Gare de Lyon station, the incident highlights the ongoing threat of violence and the necessity of robust security measures in a city that has been previously targeted by terrorist attacks.