Attack on Police Truck in Paris; State of Emergency in France Extended

Following an attack by a vehicle on a police truck in Paris, the Champs-Élysées neighborhood was closed off with protective barriers on Monday afternoon, June 19. According to the German news agency, the vehicle caught fire after colliding with the police truck, and police confirmed that the driver was killed. Gérard Collomb, the French Interior Minister, stated that several weapons and ammunition were found inside the attacking vehicle. However, no police officers or civilians near the incident were harmed. According to Pierre-Henri Brandet, spokesperson for the French Interior Ministry, anti-terrorism forces are investigating the incident. Police have asked the public to avoid the Champs-Élysées and the tourist center of Paris. The incident occurred near the Élysée Palace, the residence of Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, who was scheduled to host King Abdullah II of Jordan a few hours later. According to police reports, the attacker, driving a Renault Mégane, passed through a convoy of security vehicles to reach the police truck and collided with it. Two police officials stated that the attacker was armed with a handgun. French police have identified the attacker but have not disclosed his name, only stating that he was 31 years old and suspected of having links to extremist Islamist groups. French officials indicated that the country's anti-terrorism prosecutor has launched an official investigation into the attack. The French Interior Minister announced that the state of emergency in France will be extended until the end of October this year. The state of emergency was established following the November 13, 2015 attacks that left 130 dead and has been extended more than five times. The state of emergency allows for house arrest, identity checks, inspections of luggage and vehicles, personal belongings, and the closure of public places.