A pregnant woman was among three people injured in a daylight knife attack in Paris on Saturday, July 25, 2026, after a suspect allegedly shouted, “Allah sent me to kill women,” before targeting bystanders.
The attack occurred around 9:30 AM near the Porte de Clichy tram station in the 17th arrondissement of the French capital.
Paris Police Prefect Laurent Nuñez confirmed that the assailant targeted three women—aged 19, 24, and 36—severely injuring two of them. Eyewitness reports and local authorities confirmed that one of the victims was pregnant.
Two of the victims were rushed to nearby medical facilities in critical condition, with emergency responders reporting severe stab wounds to the lower back and abdomen.
Off-duty officer subdues attacker
The suspect, a 31-year-old man reportedly known to have a history of severe mental health issues, was arrested at the scene. Video footage circulating on social media showed a man with long black hair brandishing two large knives before stabbing a young woman.
Subsequent footage showed the suspect pinned to the ground and disarmed by an off-duty police officer assisted by bystanders who intervened to stop the spree.
A source close to the investigation told Le Parisien that the suspect made religious declarations during the attack, repeatedly stating that he was sent to harm women.
Mayor of Paris speaks
Following the incident, security forces cordoned off the area, and the Porte de Clichy tram station was temporarily closed by order of the Paris Police Prefecture to allow forensic teams to process the scene.
Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Grégoire expressed support for the victims and praised the quick response of the off-duty officer.
“I extend all my thoughts to the victims of this act of extreme violence,” Grégoire stated on social media. “The investigation must shed light on the motivations of the perpetrator. Deep gratitude to the off-duty police officer who subdued the assailant.”
French counter-terrorism and local law enforcement prosecutors have opened a joint inquiry into the attack to determine the suspect’s psychological state and specific motives.
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