A gunman who killed a police officer on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on Thursday has been identified as a 39-year-old French national who had been flagged as a potential Islamist radical. French media named him as Karim Cheurfi, from the eastern Paris suburb of Chelles. He was shot dead by security forces after opening fire on a police bus, killing officer Xavier Jugelé and wounding two others.
Authorities found a pump-action shotgun and knives in his car, according to French TV station BFMTV. The attacker had a criminal record, including a conviction in the early 2000s for attempted murder of two police officers, for which he served several years in prison. More recently, intelligence services identified him as a potential Islamic radical.
So-called Islamic State claimed responsibility via its Amaq news agency, naming the attacker as Abu-Yusuf al-Baljiki. Another man suspected of possible links to the attack turned himself in to Belgian police, while French police detained three members of the gunman's family. Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said security forces were fully mobilised ahead of Sunday's presidential election, vowing that nothing would impede the democratic process.
The attack prompted candidates to cancel final rallies and urge tough action against Islamist terrorism. Mr Cazeneuve accused far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and conservative François Fillon of exploiting the attack for electoral gain. The shooting is expected to weigh heavily on voters' minds as they head to the polls on Sunday.
