By Canadian Press

2 dead, 4 wounded in Paris shooting; suspect arrested

Dec 23, 2022 | 5:52 AM

PARIS (AP) — A shooting targeting a Kurdish cultural center in Paris on Friday left two people dead and four others wounded, authorities said. A 69-year-old suspect was wounded and arrested.

The reason for the shooting wasn’t immediately clear. The Paris prosecutor’s office opened a murder investigation and was working to confirm the identity of the suspect.

Police cordoned off the area in the 10th arrondissement of the French capital, on a busy street with shops and restaurants near the Gare de l’Est train station. The shooting came at a time when Paris is bustling with activity before the Christmas weekend.

The Paris police department warned people to stay away from the area while emergency workers were at the scene.

The shooting occurred in a Kurdish cultural center and a restaurant and hairdresser nearby, according to the mayor for the 10th arrondissement, Alexandra Cordebard. Speaking to reporters at the scene, she said the “real motivation” for the shooting remains unclear.

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

5h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

5h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

13h ago

As she spoke, a crowd nearby chanted, “Erdogan, terrorist” — referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan — and “Turkish state, assassin.”

The attacker was also wounded and is hospitalized, Cordebard said.

Two of the four people who were wounded are in critical condition, the prosecutor’s office said.

Anti-terrorism prosecutors are in contact with investigators but haven’t indicated any sign of a terrorist motive at this stage. France was hit by a string of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists in 2015-2016 and remains on alert for terrorism-related violence.

___

Nicolas Vaux-Montagny contributed to this report from Lyon.

Angela Charlton, The Associated Press