A man was shot dead by police near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on 13 February 2026 after he attempted to attack officers with a knife during a public ceremony at one of the French capital’s most iconic landmarks.
The incident took place shortly after 6 p.m. local time (5 p.m. GMT), when officers were preparing for the weekly ritual of rekindling the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tribute to France’s war dead.
According to officials, the attacker approached police with a bladed weapon and threatened a gendarme, prompting a second officer to fire multiple shots. The assailant sustained at least three gunshot wounds to his torso and legs and was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where he later died. No other injuries were reported among officers or bystanders.
Authorities have confirmed that the suspect was known to security services and had a previous conviction related to a stabbing attack in Belgium in 2012 that targeted police officers.
After serving part of a long prison sentence for terrorism‑related offences, he had been released under supervision late last year and was reportedly under surveillance at the time of the Paris attack.
The area around the Arc de Triomphe, situated atop the busy Champs‑Élysées avenue, was swiftly secured by police. Metro stations near the scene were temporarily closed and a security cordon was set up as investigators from France’s national anti‑terrorism prosecutor’s office took charge of the case.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised the “exemplary courage and cool‑headedness” of the officers involved, emphasizing that the rapid response prevented further harm to the public and security personnel. President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with the police and those present during the ceremony.
The attack has reignited concerns about security and terrorism risks at major public sites in France, which has previously faced a series of extremist attacks in recent years. Investigations are ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the motives and circumstances surrounding the knifeman’s actions.
Comments