Details of Abulqasim's Situation and the Attack on Orly Airport in Paris Released

The Paris prosecutor's office states that Zayd bin Abulqasim, the attacker at Orly Airport in Paris, who was shot dead by police, had likely become 'radicalized' in prison. Tests and autopsy results indicate the presence of alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine in Abulqasim's blood. On March 18, after seizing a soldier's weapon and attempting to take her hostage, he was killed by security forces at Orly Airport. The attacker had previously opened fire at a checkpoint. He was carrying gasoline, a pack of cigarettes, a lighter, 750 euros, and a Quran at the airport. The deceased, a 39-year-old French citizen of Tunisian parents, had been under surveillance by security forces due to suspected connections with extremist Islamist groups. Abulqasim had previously been sentenced to five years in prison for armed robbery in 2001 and had also been imprisoned for drug trafficking in 2009. Paris prosecutor François Molins told reporters that he had apparently become 'radicalized' while in prison in 2011 and 2012. Zayd bin Abulqasim's father stated on Sunday that he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. A machete and several grams of cocaine were found at the attacker's home in northeastern Paris. According to AFP, tests and the autopsy of Abulqasim showed that he had 0.93 grams of alcohol per liter and also traces of cannabis and cocaine in his blood. More details have emerged regarding the hours leading up to the attack on Orly Airport and the attack itself. AFP reports that the 39-year-old spent Friday night at a bar with a relative. He was stopped by police while driving around 7 AM, after which he opened fire on the police, injuring one officer slightly. Shortly thereafter, he called relatives and reportedly stated that he had done something 'stupid.' He continued southward, stole a car 10 kilometers from Orly Airport, returned to the bar he had visited the night before, and frightened the customers. An hour later, at 8:22 AM, he entered Orly Airport and approached a female soldier who was patrolling with two other soldiers. The Paris prosecutor stated that Abulqasim used a handgun to take the female police officer hostage. He reportedly said, 'Put your weapon down, hands on your head! I have come here to die in the way of Allah. In any case, everyone dies.' The attacker used the female soldier as a human shield. However, the female soldier suddenly knelt down, giving the other two soldiers the opportunity to shoot at the attacker. The third bullet brought Abulqasim down. No one else was injured during the incident.