It was around 6:30 AM this Monday morning, when an Algerian attempted to stab two police officers next to the Central Police Station of the National Police in Cannes. Their colleague shot him to defend themselves. According to a police source, it was probably an attack.
The attack took place at the start of the team’s shift. The police vehicle was parked, with four officers inside. The assailant pretended to ask for information and opened the driver’s door to deliver “very significant knife blows” to the thorax. His bulletproof vest fortunately saved him, and he was not injured. He is “extremely psychologically shocked”, according to Gérald Darmanin.
However, the aggressor did not stop there. He went around the vehicle to target the crew chief, who was the front passenger. He attempted to reach her face. Her two colleagues in the back got out of the vehicle and positioned themselves to protect her. They then neutralized him using their service weapons, and seriously injured the attacker in the abdomen with two bullets.
By miracle, the officers were not physically injured. They are hospitalized in a state of shock.
What we currently know about the investigation
The investigation has been entrusted to the judicial police of Nice. The Grasse Prosecutor’s Office has tasked the Direction Zonale de Police Judiciaire Sud (DZPJ) of Marseille with attempted murder of a person holding public authority.
According to a police officer, the 37-year-old individual said he acted “in the name of the prophet”. The terrorist motive is being considered. He is unknown to the police and intelligence services and is hospitalized in absolute emergency. He has been traveling regularly to France from Italy since 2016. He did not obtain the residence permit he had requested in France.
Politicians react
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin visited the scene and offered “all his support to the national police and the city of Cannes”. He praised “the composure and calm of the Cannes police officers”.
I came this morning to #Cannes to offer my full support to the police officers who were victims of a violent knife attack. I want to highlight the exemplary courage and composure of the officers who neutralized the assailant and avoided the worst. pic.twitter.com/j5cgU6kDhm
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) November 8, 2021
The president of the region Renaud Muselier, the mayors of Cannes and Nice, David Lisnard and Christian Estrosi, and the MP for Alpes-Maritimes Eric Ciotti also expressed their support for the law enforcement on Twitter.
A man attacked police officers with a knife near the central police station of Cannes. One of the officers responded with his firearm. There are no deaths and the circumstances of the attack are being clarified. Full support to our law enforcement.
— David Lisnard (@davidlisnard) November 8, 2021
Thank you to the Minister of the Interior @GDarmanin for visiting the national police officers of #Cannes after an attack that appears to be of an Islamist nature this morning. Tribute to these officers whose composure prevented a tragedy and injuries. pic.twitter.com/0equlXHQID
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) November 8, 2021
I just arrived at the Cannes police station, where our officers were victims of a terrorist attack.
Support and congratulations to the 4 officers for their composure and courage in the face of the attack. pic.twitter.com/xL8b7OUbZc
— Eric Ciotti (@ECiotti) November 8, 2021
