Louvre terror attack suspect identified as ’29-year-old Egyptian who arrived in France a week ago on flight from Dubai’
French media has named the suspect as Abdallah E-H after attempted machete attack this morning that saw knifeman shot
THE man behind the Louvre machete attack was an Egyptian who had entered France just days ago, according to reports.
Sources close to the investigation think he travelled to France at the end of January, Reuters said.
The knifeman was this afternoon named as 29-year-old, Abdallah E-H, multiple French outlets reported.
An unconfirmed report by TV network said he was unknown to security services and arrived in France on a flight on Dubai last Thursday.
Two French officials close to the investigation into the attack at say several police raids are underway in the French capital.
A police official, speaking anonymously because he is not allowed to disclose details about the case, wouldn't give details on the precise location of the police raids Friday afternoon.
A police union official, Luc Poignant, said one of the raids took place on Rue de Ponthieu, a street near the Champs-Elysees Avenue, the city's famed boulevard.
He was blasted five times at the iconic Paris gallery this morning when he yelled "Allahu Akbar" while brandishing a machete and two knives.
The dramatic moment he was surrounded by four armed French soldiers after the foiled knife attack was caught on camera.
He added: "We are dealing with an attack from an individual who was clearly aggressive and represented a direct threat, and whose comments lead us to believe that he wished to carry out a terrorist incident."
The attacker, who police believe was acting alone, was said to be carrying two knives including a machete when he was gunned down.
He has been rushed to the Georges-Pompidou hospital, where his intensive care unit is under armed guard.
No information about his background has been released yet.
US President Donald Trump tweeted: "A new radical Islamic terrorist has just attacked in Louvre Museum in Paris.
"Tourists were locked down. France on edge again. GET SMART U.S."
French premier Francois Hollande hailed the "courage and determination" of France's security forces in the face of "savage aggression".
A second man was detained for acting suspiciously but it is not known if he is linked to the attack.
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The police chief said the man attacked soldiers when they told him he could not enter the Carrousel du Louvre - an underground shopping mall beneath the gallery - with his bags.
Workers are now being allowed to return to the shopping mall beneath the Louvre and roadblocks are being cleared.
Police shut the metro station as bomb disposal teams checked the bags the assailant was carrying.
They have confirmed no explosives were but a number of knives and machetes were discovered.
He had entered the Carousel via the Rue de Rivoli, which has now been shut down, along with other nearby roads as armed police patrol the city.
French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve has described the attack at the Louvre museum in Paris as "terrorist in nature".
Nearby shopping centres were evacuated, while terrified tourists who were already at the Louvre have been kept in the basement.
Around 1,000 people were inside the world famous gallery, which is home to the Mona Lisa.
Speaking to the Sun Online, Georgia University student Taylor Walstrum said: "There's about 150 of us in this room but I think there's more elsewhere.
"We're in an lower room with no open view windows. We have been told the room is secure.
"It's me and four other university of Georgia students in here as a group.
"We didn't hear any gunfire but there was lots of shouting from staff.
"People are restless - lots of pacing.
"The security has checked bags. Everyone is sitting around trying to contact relatives and stay updated."
Students from Godalming College in Surrey were among those trapped at the Louvre during the horror.
Staff at the sixth-form college informed parents in a letter that security advice was being followed.
It said: "We wanted to let you know that we have been in contact with the Trip Leaders and that all the students and staff are together, safe, and are following advice from security services.
"They are being kept all together in an area of the museum at the moment.
"From what we are able to glean at this early stage it appears to be an isolated incident."
John O'Shea, 52, from Canada is currently trapped in the Louvre with his wife and young son. He said: "We’ve been told to leave – it’s very frightening.
"Everybody is talking terrorism, but we really don’t know what’s going on. Apparently a number of shots were fired."
The French Interior Ministry has confirmed a "grave" serious security incident is currently underway.
The Louvre said it would re-open its doors to the public tomorrow.
A shop worker said: "We heard gunfire and reacted immediately – shutting down the grills in front of the shop, and retreating into the back."
The 19-year-old, who didn't want to be named, added: "Once the all-clear was given by the police we got out as quickly as possible. I’m on my way home.
"You always hear about the possibility of terrorism, especially in the area around the Louvre, but this was the real thing."
Restaurant worker Sanae Hadraoui, 32, was waiting for breakfast at the Louvre's restaurant complex when she heard the first gunshot, followed by another and then a couple more.
"I hear a shot. Then a second shot. Then maybe two more. I hear people screaming, "Evacuate! Evacuate!"
"They told us to evacuate. I told my colleagues at the McDonalds. We went downstairs and then took the emergency exit."
Soldiers carry out patrols at the historic museum as part of France's ongoing State of Emergency.
They were placed on high terror alert following murderous attacks by Islamic State operatives in 2015.
On November 13, 2015, 130 people were murdered in a single night of violence which included attacks on the Stade de France, the Bataclan concert venue and cafés and restaurants.
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