Incident Overview
On Tuesday evening, a 31-year-old man armed with knives was shot dead by a municipal police officer in Saint-Étienne, France. The incident occurred after the man threatened passers-by and slightly injured an elderly woman. The city's prosecutor's office confirmed that the man was suffering from psychiatric disorders, ruling out any terrorist motives.
Background of the Assailant
The man had a criminal history, having been released from detention in May after serving over five years for various violent offenses. The night before the incident, he had contacted emergency services, expressing suicidal tendencies and an aggressive state, but fled before help arrived. On the day of the shooting, he entered a store and declared intentions to cause chaos at the Christmas market, although no religious motives were indicated.
Police Response and Investigations
The police officer involved in the shooting was released from custody after it was determined that he acted in self-defense. Two investigations are underway: one to explore the background of the assailant and another concerning the circumstances of the police shooting. Prosecutor David Charmatz emphasized that the assailant's behavior was linked to a psychiatric episode and that no terrorist connections were found.
