Knife-Wielding Man Shot Dead by Police During Military Ceremony at Arc de Triomphe, Paris
en01.web.id – France. knife-wielding man was shot dead by police on Friday, February 13, 2026, after attacking security officers during a military ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, located on the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. The incident occurred beneath the monument that houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, an area under permanent high security.
According to the Paris Police Prefecture, the incident began at around 10:00 a.m. local time while a routine military honor ceremony was underway. A man suddenly approached the line of officers carrying a knife and a pair of scissors, shouting aggressively and brandishing the weapons toward security personnel.
Paris Police Chief Laurent Nuñez said officers issued several verbal warnings ordering the suspect to drop his weapons. “The individual refused to comply and continued advancing in a threatening manner,” Nuñez told reporters during a press briefing at Paris City Hall.
The suspect then attacked one of the officers, injuring him lightly on the arm. Seeing the immediate danger, police officers opened fire. “The use of firearms was necessary to neutralize a direct and serious threat to public safety,” Nuñez stated.
The man collapsed at the scene and was rushed to a nearby hospital under police escort. However, medical authorities later confirmed that he died from gunshot wounds. The injured officer received treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that the suspect was a French national in his early forties with a prior criminal record involving violent offenses. “The individual had been released from prison in late 2025 after serving a sentence for attacks on law enforcement officers,” Beccuau said.
Preliminary investigations found no immediate evidence linking the suspect to an organized terrorist network. However, authorities are examining possible motives, including radical ideology and psychological instability. “We are reviewing his background, medical history, and potential extremist connections,” Beccuau added.
Following the shooting, the Arc de Triomphe and surrounding areas were temporarily closed for forensic investigations. Traffic along the Champs-Élysées was diverted, and tourists were evacuated as a security precaution.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for the police action through an official statement. “I commend the professionalism and rapid response of our security forces in the face of a serious threat. The protection of our national sites and citizens remains an absolute priority,” Macron said.
Tim Redaksi
(rd/ks/jk)