Gunman attacks Kurdish cultural centre in Paris, killing three

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A man on Friday fired multiple gunshots on a Kurdish cultural centre in Paris, killing three people and injuring three others. An investigation has been launched and a suspect has been arrested. 

The incident took place in Rue d'Enghien street where a number of Kurdish shops and Ahmet Kaya Kurdish Cultural Centre are located. Three people were killed and three others were injured in the shooting. 

Paris public prosecutor said the suspect, a 69-year-old man, was previously known to the authorities. 

Ibrahim Saydo Aydogan is an eyewitness. He told Rudaw on the phone that when he arrived at the incident area the suspect had been arrested.

The Kurdish man also said that the suspect was first arrested by Kurdish men then handed over to the police. 

Regarding the victims, Aydogan said they are all “activists of the Kurdish cause.” He identified two of the dead as Aveen and Mir Parwar. 

All the victims are originally from Kurdish areas of Turkey (Northern Kurdistan), according to the eyewitness. 

Paris prosecutor said that a possible racist motive behind the incident would be investigated. 

Clashes erupted between a group of Kurdish protesters and police following the deadly incident. 

French President Emmanuel Macron said in a tweet that “Kurds of France have been the target of a heinous attack in the heart of Paris.”  

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also condemned the attack, thanking Macron for his response to the shooting.

"France has always supported the people of Kurdistan," he said in a tweet.  

US government also commented on the deadly attack. 

My deepest sympathies go out to the victims of the attack at the Kurdish cultural center in Paris. My thoughts are with the members of the Kurdish community and people of France on this sad day.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) December 23, 2022