One killed and four injured in knife attack in Paris; ISIS claims responsibility

A man armed with a knife attacked pedestrians in Paris, the capital of France, late on Saturday, May 22, killing one person and injuring four others. The group known as the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. French officials say the attack occurred in the busy area of 'La Rue de Rivoli' near the 'Paris Opera House.' According to French media, the assailant was shot down by police. Security forces have reported that the condition of two of the injured is critical, while the other two are not in life-threatening situations. Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, praised the police for their actions shortly after the incident and stated that his country would never 'surrender to the enemies of freedom.' The French Minister of the Interior also commended the 'good action' of the security forces. Witnesses say police first attempted to stop the assailant with a taser, and after that failed, they ultimately shot him. The Paris prosecutor's office stated that the anti-terrorism unit of the French police is investigating the incident. According to François Molins, the Paris prosecutor, the attacker shouted 'Allahu Akbar' while attacking pedestrians. The group known as the Islamic State issued a statement on its affiliated website claiming responsibility for the attack. Paris has been in a state of emergency in recent years due to both large and small terrorist attacks. During the extensive attacks in November 2015 in Paris, 130 people were killed. The 2015 attacks were the largest terrorist operation in France's history, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility.