This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/376165-paris-louvre-suitcase-shooting/

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Machete-wielding man attacks soldier at Louvre, terror motives suspected Machete-wielding man attacks soldier at Louvre, terror motives suspected (PHOTOS)
(35 minutes later)
A French soldier opened fire on a machete-wielding man, wounding him, police said. The attacker, now suspected of terror motives, cried out “Allahu Akbar.”A French soldier opened fire on a machete-wielding man, wounding him, police said. The attacker, now suspected of terror motives, cried out “Allahu Akbar.”
The attacker tried to assault a four-man patrol of soldiers at the Carrousel du Louvre area. Early reports said he was a wielding a knife and had a suitcase.
WATCH LIVE: Scene of shooting outside the Louvre MuseumWATCH LIVE: Scene of shooting outside the Louvre Museum
The French Interior Ministry reported that was a “grave public security incident” in the vicinity of the Louvre museum. The area was sealed off. The French Interior Ministry initially reported that was a “grave public security incident” in the vicinity of the Louvre museum. The area was then sealed off.
The attacker armed with a machete tried to assault a four-man patrol of soldiers at the Carrousel du Louvre area. Earlier reports said he was a wielding a knife and had a suitcase. Later police said there was no suitcase, but two bags, and the man carrying them on his back tried to enter museum shopping area, but was refused.
Later police said there were two bags and the man carrying them on his back tried to enter museum shopping area, but was refused. Then the man tried to stab one of the soldiers with a machete, Yves Lefebvre, a police union official, told AP.
The attacker cried out "Allahu Akbar,"  Michel Cadot, the head of the French capital's police force, told reporters, adding that no explosives have been found so far. The attacker also cried out "Allahu Akbar,"  Michel Cadot, the head of the French capital's police force, told reporters.
The attacker’s remarks led police to believe that he had intended to carry out a terrorist attack. The attacker’s remarks led police to believe that he had intended to carry out a terrorist attack. 
"We are dealing with an attack from an individual who was clearly aggressive and represented a direct threat, and whose comments lead us to believe that he wished to carry out a terrorist incident," said Cadot."We are dealing with an attack from an individual who was clearly aggressive and represented a direct threat, and whose comments lead us to believe that he wished to carry out a terrorist incident," said Cadot.
The attacker is believed to have acted alone. Two machetes were found at the scene, according to AP. The attacker is believed to have acted alone. Two machetes have been found at the scene, according to AP.
French anti-terror police are now looking into the incident, with Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve saying the attack was “clearly of a terrorist nature.”French anti-terror police are now looking into the incident, with Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve saying the attack was “clearly of a terrorist nature.”
Five shots were fired at the attacker, who was injured. It is understood that he sustained injuries to his legs or in the abdomen, police say they are quite serious. Five shots were fired at the attacker. It is understood that he sustained injuries to his legs or in the abdomen; police say they are quite serious.
The attacker has not been identified yet.The attacker has not been identified yet.
A second person has been detained at the scene following suspicious behavior.A second person has been detained at the scene following suspicious behavior.
The soldier who had been attacked was slightly injured in the Louvre attack. The fire was opened by another man from the patrol. The soldier who had been attacked sustained a slight scalp injury. The fire was opened by another man from the patrol.
The nearby Palais Royal Musee du Louvre metro station has been closed due to the incident, witnesses said on Twitter. The nearby Palais Royal Musee du Louvre metro station was briefly closed due to the incident, witnesses said on Twitter.
Europe 1 radio says the square in front of Louvre was partially evacuated while bomb disposal officers were sent to the scene. The square in front of Louvre was partially evacuated while bomb disposal officers were sent to the scene, Europe 1 radio reported. No explosives were found.
Louvre officials also closed the museum and kept visitors inside from leaving. There were about 1,000 visitors at the museum at the time of the incident, according to officials.Louvre officials also closed the museum and kept visitors inside from leaving. There were about 1,000 visitors at the museum at the time of the incident, according to officials.
The Louvre in the center of the French capital is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Paris. Soldiers patrolling the area around the museum are part of Operation Sentinelle, the massive security beef-up measure that followed terror attacks in 2015 and 2016.The Louvre in the center of the French capital is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Paris. Soldiers patrolling the area around the museum are part of Operation Sentinelle, the massive security beef-up measure that followed terror attacks in 2015 and 2016.