Police Shoot Man Engaged in ‘Hammer Attack’ Outside Notre Dame

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Just hours after a deadly terrorist attack in Melbourne, Australia, police in Paris thwarted a potential terrorist attack in what is being called a “hammer attack” outside of Notre Dame cathedral.

According to reports, the iconic French landmark is on lockdown as police take control of the situation after a man attacked police with a hammer before being disarmed.

From The Sun:

It is so far unclear if the alleged gunshots came from cops arriving at the scene. French TV reported that an officer shot a man acting “aggressively”, although this has not been confirmed.

A journalist with channel Europe 1 said an attacker lunged at an officer with a hammer. Visitors have told of barricading themselves inside the cathedral while shocking video shows armed cops rushing to the scene.

Notre Dame has 13.6million visitors a year and is the most popular tourist attraction in France.

The Sun captured tweets of individuals who were forced to remain in the cathedral as the event unfolded:

It is unknown what this individual’s motives are, but given the recent attacks in London and Australia, it is not inconceivable that this was an attempted act of terrorism.

Do you think this is just a random attack, or an act of terror? Let us know in the comments.

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