A man opened fire on a police bus using a semi-automatic weapon in Champs Elysee on Thursday, April 20 killing one police officer and injuring several others- including a tourist who has in the area. The shooter, 39 year old Karim Shourfi, who was identified as a French citizen was brought down by police and an investigation is pending. The Islamic State quickly took the responsibility for the attack, though the link remains unclear. 

French President Francois Hollande called the attack “terrorist in nature” France’s Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor, Francois Molins revealed that Shourfi had a violent past and had been under investigation for possible involvement with a terrorist group but, per Mollins did not shot “signs of radicalization”. 

Meanwhile, the IS has “identified” the shooter was a radical “fighter” known as Abu Yussef – nicknamed “the Belgian”. The only link between Shourfi and the IS was a handwritten note found on the shooter’s body praising the Islamic State.

The discrepancy in names and stories has led for a search for a second possible shooter, and the arrest of another potential suspect who has since been cleared of the charges. 

If confirmed as an act of terrorism, this will have been the terrorist attack that France had endured in two years. President Hollande promised increased vigilance while leaders around the world expressed their condemnation for the assault and their support of France.

President Trump also offered condolences followed by a call for vigilance. The attack also came on the eve of the French election, causing candidates to cancel campaigns in the wake of shooting.