French Police Arrest Armed Attacker Before Church Assault

The French government announced on Wednesday, April 21, that the police arrested an Algerian man who intended to attack a church and discovered several Kalashnikovs, a handgun, and ammunition in his home. According to Reuters, the 24-year-old man, whose name has not been disclosed, is an electronics student and a suspect in the murder of a 32-year-old woman. He was arrested on Sunday after accidentally injuring himself with a gunshot and calling for an ambulance. Since the armed attack by Islamist militants on the Charlie Hebdo magazine office and a Jewish store in January, which left 17 people dead, the French government has increased security measures at sensitive and vulnerable locations. Police found not only weapons, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest in the home and car of this Algerian youth but also printed materials from Al-Qaeda and a group known as the Islamic Caliphate. French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve stated, 'The precise evidence found undoubtedly shows that this individual intended to attack one or two churches.' He added that this individual had previously been identified by French police as someone intending to travel to Syria. Police had conducted necessary checks in 2014 and 2015 but found no evidence for further investigation or his arrest. The chief prosecutor of Paris said, 'Examination of this individual's mobile phone and laptop shows that he had contacted another person who is likely in Syria. In these communications, he discussed carrying out an armed attack, and the other party advised him to target churches.' The newspaper Le Monde reported that this individual shot the owner of a car he attempted to steal on Sunday, whose body was later found, as blood stains from the victim were discovered on the suspect's clothing. During this unsuccessful theft, he accidentally shot himself and then called for an ambulance. According to the Paris prosecutor, another individual has been arrested for contacting this suspect, but their identity has not been disclosed.