Paris shooting ‘terror attack’ victim was member of French police LGBT group
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The officer killed in a French ‘terror attack’ last night was a member of the force’s LGBT group.
Authorities haven’t yet named the victim, but the LGBT organisation for French officers has posted that the victim was “a member of our association”.
‘Flag – Policiers et Gendarmes LGBT’ wrote on its Facebook page: “Shocked and moved by the tragedy that just touched the national police and the association flag!
“The policeman killed tonight was a member of our association.
“Flag! Sends its sincere condolences to his family, his friends, his colleagues and to our members close.”
Flag! represents LGBT officers in the Interior Ministry, including police officers.
The gunman who killed the officer was subsequently shot dead by security forces on the Champs Elysees.
The attacker has been identified as 39-year-old Karim Cheurfi, who lived in the city’s suburbs, and had been on a list of suspected terrorists.
The attacker has been formally identified by authorities based on papers found in his car.
Two more police officers were left wounded by the gunman’s attack, but aren’t thought to be in life-threatening situations.
French police report that another man suspected of possible links to the attack has turned himself in to Belgian police.
They have also taken three family members of the gunman into custody, according to Reuters.
The attack comes just days before France is due to vote in the first round of its presidential elections on Sunday, with Marine Le Pen leading the race.
Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said security forces, including elite units, were fully mobilised ahead of Sunday’s presidential poll.
“Nothing must be allowed to impede the fundamental democratic process of our country,” he said after an emergency security cabinet meeting.
IS has previously published video of people they believe to be gay being thrown off rooftops in a series of heinous attacks.
https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/855152164968304640
President Donald Trump was at a press conference with the Italian Prime Minister in Washington D.C. when the news broke.
Trump labelled the incident a “terrorist attack’ in his remarks, adding: “Our condolences from our country to the people of France…it’s a terrible thing.”
However Frech authorities are yet to confirm the motive for the shootings.