French Police Release Image of Suspect in Strasbourg Christmas Market Shooting

On Wednesday, December 12, French police released an image of the suspect in the Christmas market attack in Strasbourg, asking the public for assistance in locating him. According to Reuters, French police conducted a large-scale search in the eastern part of the country and in the border area with Germany to apprehend Cherif Chekatt, the suspect in the Christmas market shooting that resulted in at least two deaths. French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner stated that around 720 police and other security forces are involved in the search and have requested that the public provide any information they may have. The police reported that Cherif Chekatt fled the scene after the shooting on Tuesday night. The Paris prosecutor indicated that 29-year-old Cherif Chekatt has a history of multiple arrests in France and other European countries, all related to theft, and he had not previously been charged with terrorism. Reuters noted that the suspect likely joined extremist Islamist groups while in prison. Paris prosecutor Remi Heitz stated that Cherif Chekatt probably attacked the Christmas market because it is associated with religious symbols. Heitz added that eyewitnesses reported that Chekatt shouted 'Allahu Akbar' during the shooting. Consequently, the anti-terrorism police have taken over the case. According to the Paris prosecutor, two people were killed in the attack, and one individual is in a vegetative state, currently able to breathe with the help of a machine. He mentioned that the condition of six other injured individuals is critical.