- Champs-Elysees boulevard was reopened on Friday morning
- Armed attacker opened fired on the police at Champs-Elysées in Paris
- One police officer died, two were injured in the incident
- One assailant was shot dead
- Fresh shots fired in a different area of Champs-Elysees
- Police are trying to ascertain if it is an incident of armed robbery or terrorist attack.
'Hunt For Second Suspect On'
French police were on Friday hunting a second suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of a policeman on Thursday night, French Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said.
Champs-Elysees Reopens
Champs-Elysees boulevard has been reopened and is picking up its usual early morning routine on Friday after a attack on Thursday night.
Municipal workers in white hygiene suits washed down the sidewalk where the attack took place. Delivery trucks were making their rounds. Traffic was going up and down the famous tree-lined street and police barriers have been taken down.
Terrorism Can Strike Anytime, Anywhere: Mike Pence
US Vice President Mike Pence condemned the shooting of police officers in Paris and said that it is the “latest reminder that terrorism can strike anywhere, anytime”. He said the US “will not relent in our effort to end terrorism”.
Pence, during his speech to business leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia, said that the people of Paris have “our condolences and our prayers”.
ISIS Claims Responsibility; Police Identifies Attacker
Terrorist organisation Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Paris attack on Thursday that left a police officer dead, in their mouth piece Amaq News Agency.
It identified the attacker as one of its soldiers naming him as Abu Yousif, a Belgian.
Paris police haven’t ascertained whether the attack was terror-related or not.
The Telegraph report said that the assailant was “recently detained and questioned” at a police station in Meaux after they received information that he was trying to procure weapons “to kill policemen”.
He was later “let go” due to lack of evidence.