Policeman killed in Paris terror attack was LGBT rights activist with a husband
A gay police officer has been killed in a suspected terrorist attack in Paris.
The officer has since been identified as 37-year-old Xavier Jugelé.
Mr Jugelé was an active campaigner for LGBT rights in France, and leaves behind his civil partner, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Mr Jugelé who was shot in the head and killed in the Champs Elysees attack, and two other officers were seriously injured.
The group representing LGBT officers in France, Flag!, 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.”
The victim had been deployed during Paris’s previous Bataclan terrorist attack, saying in an interview with People magazine at the time: “Glad the Bataclan is reopening. It’s symbolic.
“We’re here tonight as witnesses. Here to defend our civic values. This concert’s to celebrate life. To say no to terrorists.”
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.
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.
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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.”
