French police shoot armed suspect who ‘intended to set fire to synagogue’ | World News

The interior minister said the person planned to set fire to a synagogue in Rouen.

According to the Interior Minister, French police shot and killed an armed suspect in front of a synagogue.

The Rouen incident in the north Franceon Friday morning occurred after the person attempted to set fire to the city’s synagogue, Gerald Darmanin said.

“I congratulate (national police officers) on their responsiveness and courage,” he added.

According to regional authorities, police rushed towards the man as smoke rose from the synagogue.

He was carrying a knife and an iron bar when an officer shot him. His identity and motive are unclear.

Local broadcaster France 3 reported that firefighters were on site. A city hall official said shortly before 8 a.m. that the fire had been brought under control.

The mayor of Rouen, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, also said on social media that the city was “stricken and in shock.”

He thanked first responders at the scene and said there were “no casualties other than the armed individual.”

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Elie Korchia, president of France’s Consistoire Central, added that police had “prevented another anti-Semitic tragedy.”

France has already raised its security level to the highest level ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics due to the conflict in the Middle East, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the risk of terrorist attacks.