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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Harriet Brewis

Paris knife attack: France launches terror probe after four killed in rampage at police headquarters

The fatal stabbing of four people in Paris yesterday is now being investigated as a possible act of terrorism.

A knife-wielding employee went on a rampage at the city’s central police headquarters, killing three officers and an administrative worker before being shot dead.

Michael Harpon, 45, who worked as an IT administrator, roamed two floors and critically wounded at least one other person.

Paris prosecutors said they decided to refer the investigation to the national anti-terror unit "in light of the evidence gathered by criminal investigators at this stage of the inquiry".

Investigators scoured the attacker's computer and mobile phone for clues to his motive and interviewed his wife, as well as witnesses.

Authorities said the 45-year-old converted to Islam 18 months ago.

His wife Iham, who was taken into police custody on Thursday but not charged, reportedly told police he heard voices on Wednesday night.

Officials said he did not have a history of psychiatric problems and had not presented any previous cause for concern.

An armed officer near secures the scene after the attack on Thursday afternoon (REUTERS)

Police union officials previously suggested the attacker may have been involved in a workplace dispute.

There were tensions between the knifeman and his supervisor, according to police union official Christophe Crepin.

"I do not think this is a terrorist act," Mr Crepin, who knew the attacker, told Franceinfo Radio.

Police union leader Jean-Marc Bailleul described it as a criminal act, telling BFMTV: "It was a moment of madness."

The attacker is said to have gone into the building at around 1pm and straight to his office where he began attacking colleagues with a knife.

He stabbed three people inside two offices and two women on a stairway, before he was shot dead by an officer inside the building's courtyard, according to French media.

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