Europe News

Charlie Hebdo Attack In Paris Leaves 12 Dead, Prompts Manhunt

Hooded gunmen broke into the office of Charlie Hebdo, a provocative, satirical French magazine, on Wednesday, killing twelve people before heading onto the streets of Paris.

While it’s still unknown who was behind the attack, French officials have called it a blatant act of terrorism, and they expressed fears that the situation will worsen, according to CNN.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”– Francois Hollande” author_title=”French President”]

We need to find the actors of this terrorist act. They must be arrested and brought before judges and condemned as quickly as possible. France is shocked.

[/quote]

The gunmen opened fire with Kalashnikovs, shouting “Allahu Akbar” and saying they were “avenging the Prophet.” The gunmen fled in a black Citroen after killing four cartoonists, eight journalists and two police. Eleven people were wounded in the attack, according to The Guardian.

Five of the journalists killed have been named. The victims include magazine editor and cartoonist, Stéphane Charbonnier; Bernard Maris, an economist and writer on the board; and Jean Cabu, Georges Wolinski and Bernard Verlhac, all cartoonists.

Charlie Hebdo’s journalism drew both critics and fans. In 2012, Paris police urged Stéphane Charbonnier, the editorial director of the magazine, to stand down on plans to publish cartoons of Prophet Muhammad. Citing his rights as a journalist, Charbonnier went ahead with his plans with a crude and pornographic depiction of Muhammad. The prophet’s rendering is prohibited by Muslims.

On Wednesday, President Obama condemned the “cowardly, evil attacks” and pledged solidarity with the people of France and U.S. support, saying the United States will assist France in tracking down the killers who escaped, according to USA Today.

Police are pursuing three suspects, although the details are still confidential.

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