Police in Paris are responding to a hostage situation at a store in the 12th arrondissement. According to local reports, the assailant is armed with a knife and has taken two women hostage.
A hostage situation has been underway in Paris since 15:30pm (14:30pm GMT) Monday, according to police. French media said two women are being held at knifepoint in a store by a man demanding to speak with Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti.
Prise d'otages dans un magasin à Paris : deux personnes séquestrées, le quartier bouclé @actufrparis https://t.co/6YIk3UBlTX pic.twitter.com/WDuXLIAHaU
— Sarah Boumghar (@sarahbmghr) December 20, 2021
Police have set up a perimeter near the Aligre quarter, a local market area, in the 12th arrondissement. According to France’s BFM TV, sources have identified the attacker and claim he has a history of psychiatric issues.
In a tweet, first deputy mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, urged people to avoid the area, while announcing that he was himself traveling to the scene of the incident.
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Source: RT