A random stabbing incident occurred in the southern French port city of Marseille on the 2nd. A 35-year-old Tunisian national first injured people in the hotel where he previously stayed, then rushed onto the street with knives and stabbed other passersby, resulting in a total of five injuries. Police arrived at the scene and opened fire, ultimately shooting him dead. The case is under further investigation.
According to local prosecutor Nicolas Besson, the perpetrator was first evicted from the hotel due to overdue rent. He subsequently returned to his former room and stabbed a newly checked-in guest, then attacked the hotel manager and the manager’s son. The manager’s son was stabbed in the chest, hospitalized, and remains in critical condition, though his life is not currently at risk.
When the suspect entered the busy street, he indiscriminately attacked passersby and snack shop customers, leaving at least two people with facial injuries from blows or knife cuts. A witness reported that the suspect was wielding two large butcher knives and attempted to assault the police. Police later issued stop orders, which were ignored, and ultimately fired to subdue the suspect. The suspect was later confirmed to have died from his wounds.
Video circulating online shows several plain-clothes officers aiming their guns at the knife-wielding suspect from about ten paces away. The officers advanced step by step while the suspect backed away. Shortly after, the suspect appeared to suddenly lunge at the officers, prompting them to open fire. Multiple gunshots can be heard in the footage as the suspect collapses and writhes in pain.
Another bystander’s footage shows the suspect brandishing a knife, gesturing and talking in the street before police arrived.
The incident took place in an area with several hotels and roadside restaurants. Police rapidly cordoned off the scene, erected forensic tents and tape, and launched an investigation. According to eyewitness media reports, the assailant shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the rampage. However, authorities stressed that the anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office has not taken over the case at this time, and prosecutors believe the motive may be psychological issues rather than a systematic terrorist act.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau praised the police for their swift and decisive action, stating that without their timely intervention, there might have been more casualties.