Around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, a man armed with two knives injured three women on Avenue de Clichy in Paris. Mohamed, a 26-year-old civilian, and an off-duty police officer helped subdue him.
The attack occurred near the Porte de Clichy tram stop. The victims, aged 19, 24 and 36, were taken to hospital. Two are in absolute emergency and one is pregnant, according to the mayor of the 17th arrondissement.
Mohamed, a black belt in judo, chased the attacker and brought him down with a leg sweep. “I said: ‘We have to stop him!’”, he told Le Figaro. An off-duty police officer then called for backup to arrest him.
The 31-year-old suspect, from Les Lilas, made incoherent statements including “It is Allah who ordered me.” Interior Minister Laurent Nunez remains cautious about the motive. The investigation for attempted aggravated homicide continues under the observation of the national anti-terrorism prosecutor.