France: Paris Orly airport attacker known to police

PARIS

A man who was shot dead by security forces after he seized a soldier’s weapon at Paris’ Orly Airport was known to the police and intelligence service, France’s interior minister said Saturday.

Speaking at a press conference, Bruno Le Roux said the man was previously involved in a shooting in the northern Paris suburb of Stains and had injured a police officer during a police check.

Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said the man first seized the soldier’s weapon and then tried to hide in a store at the airport before he was shot, adding that there were no other casualties during the incident.

Metro and train stations were closed and flights to Orly airport diverted to Roisy Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

Airport management warned passengers on Twitter to stay away from the airport unless their airline confirmed the flight, as security operations are ongoing.

French President Francois Hollande praised the police and soldiers for the courage and effectiveness in the face of the attack.

"Our state will fight terrorism for the security of our citizens and our territories in a determined manner, without interruption, and this struggle will continue with great care at the highest level," Hollande said in a statement.

The attacker was a 39-year-old French citizen, identified as Zied B., said French broadcaster BFM, citing police sources.

The father and brother of the attacker were also arrested.

Previously imprisoned for drug trafficking and armed robbery, Zied B. had been under surveillance.

Reporting by Rahmi Gunduz; Writing by Sibel Ugurlu