France: Strasbourg shooting declared act of terrorism

By Yusuf Ozcan</p> <p>PARIS (AA) – A French prosecutor on Wednesday said that the armed attack in Strasbourg was an act of terrorism.</p> <p> </p> <p>Speaking at a news conference regarding the incident, Remy Heitz said: &quot;Once again, terrorism has struck our territory, in Strasbourg,&quot; adding that terror threat still remained.</p> <p>The prosecutor stated that the assailant was Cherif C. (29), who had a total of 27 convictions in France, Germany and Switzerland over crimes of theft and rape.</p> <p>He noted that the attacker radicalized in prison and was on a French watchlist called “Fiche S,” which is used by police to flag someone who is considered a threat to national security.</p> <p>Heitz went on to say that the manhunt was underway.</p> <p>The prosecutor said the attacker was shot in the arm before he fled. He noted that two people were killed and one was in a vegetative state, while the number of the wounded people was 12 — six of whom were critically injured.</p> <p>In addition, the prosecutor pointed out that four relatives of the gunmen were detained and Paris Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the matter.</p> <p>Benjamin Griveaux, a government spokesman, said after the cabinet meeting that President Emmanuel Macron preferred not to make a statement while the operation was ongoing. </p> <p>Interior Minister Christophe Castaner previously announced that anti-terror action plan was raised to &quot;attack emergency&quot;, which was approved by Elysee Palace in 2016.</p> <p>Attack Emergency can be activated when an attack is imminent or right after it takes place. This system enables closing highway and metros and education, and education could be paused.</p> <p>On Tuesday night, a gunman opened fire at a Christmas market in Place Kleber square before leaving the scene. The French police stated that security forces raided gunman's house but failed to find him.</p> <p> <p>* Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this story from Ankara