PARIS, May 13. /TASS/. A man attacked passers-by in downtown Paris on Saturday evening, killing one bystander and injuring four before being shot dead by a patrolling police officer, BFM TV said citing police sources.
The stabbing attack took place at about 21.30 in Paris’ second arrondissement where the city's opera and prestigious residential areas are located. According to first reports, the assailant was stabbing the bystanders at random.
Initial reports said eight people were injured. Later, it became known that four people had actual knife wounds, while some others sought medical assistance for the state of shock.
Two of those injured were hospitalized in critical condition.
French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb wrote on Twitter, "I appreciate the prompt response and composure of the law enforcers who neutralized the assailant."
Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins told reporters that investigators suspect a terrorist link.
"At this stage, based on testimony of eyewitnesses who said the attacker shouted "Allahu akbar" while attacking passers-by with a knife, and so <…> we reported to the department investigating terrorism-related crimes at the Paris prosecutor’s office," he was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
AP, in its turn, said that the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) claimed responsibility for the attack.