Paris: Terror struck France again as a history teacher was beheaded in a street in a Paris suburb. The suspected attacker was killed by police.
The teacher had discussed caricatures of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad with his class, authorities said.
French President Emmanuel Macron called it an “Islamist terrorist attack” and urged the nation to stand united against extremism.
The French anti-terrorism prosecutor opened an investigation for murder with a suspected terrorist motive.
Four people, including a minor, have been detained for questioning.
“One of our compatriots was murdered today because he taught … the freedom of expression, the freedom to believe or not believe,” said Macron after visiting the school where the teacher worked and met the staff.
He said the attack shouldn’t divide France because that’s what the extremists want. “We must stand all together as citizens,” he said.
According to police, the suspect who was armed with a knife and an airsoft gun — which fires plastic pellets — was shot dead about 600 metres from where the male teacher was killed.
Police told The Associated Press that the teacher had received threats after opening a discussion “for a debate” about the caricatures 10 days ago. As student’s parent had filed a complaint against the teacher.
