Suspect in Strasbourg Christmas Market Shooting Killed in French Police Operation

The French Ministry of the Interior confirmed on Thursday, December 13, that Cherif Chekatt, the suspect in the Christmas market shooting in Strasbourg, was killed in a confrontation with police forces. Cherif Chekatt, 29, was the main suspect in the shooting at the Christmas market on Tuesday evening. At least three people were killed and 13 others injured in the shooting. The Paris Prosecutor's Office had also announced earlier that Cherif Chekatt was killed during a police operation. Following the shooting at the Strasbourg Christmas market, hundreds of police conducted a large-scale operation in eastern France and along the border with Germany to apprehend the shooter. Meanwhile, the French National Police thanked the public for their cooperation in locating Cherif Chekatt via a tweet. Remy Heitz, the Paris prosecutor, stated that Cherif Chekatt opened fire at the Christmas market around 8 PM on Tuesday while people were busy with their Christmas shopping. He was armed with a gun and a knife to kill people. He continued that security forces entered the market to confront him and attempted to arrest him, leading to a confrontation where Cherif Chekatt was shot in the arm. The Paris prosecutor added that Cherif Chekatt escaped the scene of the confrontation by taxi. Following this, more than 700 police and military personnel began searching for Cherif Chekatt. Reports indicate that on Thursday, after locating Cherif Chekatt's hiding place, police evacuated nearby residential areas. It is reported that Cherif Chekatt had been arrested 27 times in three countries: France, Germany, and Switzerland, for theft and violence. He was deported from Germany to France in 2017 after serving his sentence. Reuters reports that the suspect likely joined extremist Islamist groups while in prison. Remy Heitz stated yesterday that Cherif Chekatt likely attacked the Christmas market because it is associated with religious symbols.