Strasbourg shooting suspect killed by police
- 6 years ago
STRASBOURG, FRANCE — French police have killed the man responsible for the Strasbourg Christmas market attack that left three people dead and a dozen wounded.
The Guardian reports that on the morning of the attack, police tried to detain Cherif Chekatt's in connection with an armed robbery and attempted murder inquiry, but he wasn't home. Prosecutors say a grenade, a rifle, and several knives were found during a search of his apartment.
Hours later, Chekatt walked through the Strasbourg Christmas market armed with a gun. He open fired several times, and also used a knife during the attack. Witnesses say he shouted 'Allahu Akbar' as he did so.
Four anti-terrorism Operation Sentinelle soldiers patrolling the area exchanged fire with the 29-year-old suspect and wounded him in the arm.
He managed to get into a taxi, which took him to the Neudorf district near the Franco-German border, where his apartment was located.
Chekatt came across police after getting out of the taxi, resulting in another exchange of gunfire. According to the New York Times, authorities eventually lost track of him.
French authorities immediately blocked main roads out of the city, and mobilized more than 700 security forces to hunt for the gunman.
According to the Paris prosecutor's office, three police officers recognized Chekatt on a Neudorf street around 9 p.m. Thursday. He turned and shot at the officers when they tried to approach.
Police returned fire, killing him. The weapon the suspect was using was later discovered to be an 8mm ordnance revolver.
According to Reuters, shortly after Chekatt was killed, the Islamic State terrorist group claimed him as one of its followers.
Chekatt's parents, two brothers, and an unidentified member of his 'entourage' have been detained by investigators looking into Tuesday's deadly shooting.
The Guardian reports that on the morning of the attack, police tried to detain Cherif Chekatt's in connection with an armed robbery and attempted murder inquiry, but he wasn't home. Prosecutors say a grenade, a rifle, and several knives were found during a search of his apartment.
Hours later, Chekatt walked through the Strasbourg Christmas market armed with a gun. He open fired several times, and also used a knife during the attack. Witnesses say he shouted 'Allahu Akbar' as he did so.
Four anti-terrorism Operation Sentinelle soldiers patrolling the area exchanged fire with the 29-year-old suspect and wounded him in the arm.
He managed to get into a taxi, which took him to the Neudorf district near the Franco-German border, where his apartment was located.
Chekatt came across police after getting out of the taxi, resulting in another exchange of gunfire. According to the New York Times, authorities eventually lost track of him.
French authorities immediately blocked main roads out of the city, and mobilized more than 700 security forces to hunt for the gunman.
According to the Paris prosecutor's office, three police officers recognized Chekatt on a Neudorf street around 9 p.m. Thursday. He turned and shot at the officers when they tried to approach.
Police returned fire, killing him. The weapon the suspect was using was later discovered to be an 8mm ordnance revolver.
According to Reuters, shortly after Chekatt was killed, the Islamic State terrorist group claimed him as one of its followers.
Chekatt's parents, two brothers, and an unidentified member of his 'entourage' have been detained by investigators looking into Tuesday's deadly shooting.