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Machete-wielding man attacks soldier at Louvre, terror motives suspected (PHOTOS) Machete-wielding man attacks soldier at Louvre, terrorism motives suspected (PHOTOS)
(about 2 hours 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 machete-wielding man who cried out “Allahu Akbar” launched an attack on security forces in the area of the Louvre in the French capital, police said. The attacker, who was shot and wounded by a soldier, is now suspected of terrorist motives.
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. The attacker tried to assault a four-man patrol of soldiers at the Carrousel du Louvre area on Friday. Early reports said he was wielding a knife and had a suitcase.
WATCH LIVE: Scene of shooting outside the Louvre MuseumWATCH LIVE: Scene of shooting outside the Louvre Museum
Images of the apparent attacker lying on the floor by a staircase inside the Louvre are circulating on social media. There appears to be a weapon on the floor beside him.
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 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.
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 was no suitcase, but 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. Then the man tried to stab one of the soldiers with a machete, a police union official, Yves Lefebvre told AP.
The attacker also cried out "Allahu Akbar,"  Michel Cadot, the head of the French capital's police force, told reporters. 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 have been 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. 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 sustained a slight scalp injury. Another soldier was reportedly wounded in the belly; Le Parisien newspaper says this is a more serious injury.The soldier who had been attacked sustained a slight scalp injury. Another soldier was reportedly wounded in the belly; Le Parisien newspaper says this is a more serious injury.
The nearby Palais Royal Musee du Louvre metro station was briefly 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.
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. The square in front of the 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.