"I consider it necessary to state that all responsibility for the fact that Khazmat Azimov went on the road of crime lies completely with the authorities of France," Kadyrov said. "He was only born in Chechnya, and his growing up, the formation of his personality, his views and persuasions occurred in French society."
The suspect killed one person and injured four others. Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said the four injured people are out of life-threatening danger, The AP reported.
According to a French judicial official not authorized to speak publicly about the incident told The AP the suspect was on a police watchlist for radicalism.
Update 10:45 a.m. EDT Sunday: The Associated Press reported that the parents of the suspected attacker who killed one person and injured four others are still being questioned, according to a French judicial official. A friend of the assailant has also been taken in for questioning.
The alleged 20 year old attacker was identified by Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov as as Khasan Azimov, according to The AP.
Kadyrov said he had been informed the attacker had French citizenship and had a Russian passport until he was 14.
Interior Ministry spokesman Frederic de Lanouvelle told The Associated Press the alleged attacker had no history of criminal activity or arrests and did not know the victims.
Update 2:49 a.m. EDT Sunday: The attacker who killed a 29-year-old man and hurt four others Saturday in Paris was born in Chechnya but "had French nationality," The Associated Press reported early Sunday, citing an unnamed judicial official.
The official said the suspect, who was killed by police who responded to the knife attack, was born in 1997, according to the AP.
His parents have been detained for questioning, the official said.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
ORIGINAL STORY: Police responded Saturday evening to reports of a man stabbing people near the Paris Opera.
One person was killed and four others injured in the melee, French authorities said. The suspect targeted the five people, killing one, seriously injuring two and leaving the other two with minor injuries.
🔴 Agression de 5 personnes dans le 2ème arrondissement de Paris par un individu armé d’un couteau: une victime est décédée, deux sont blessées grièvement et deux sont blessées légèrement. L’agresseur est décédé.
— Préfecture de police (@prefpolice) May 12, 2018
The attacker, who has not been identified, died, officials said. The reason for the attack is still unknown.
The Islamic State group’s news agency said the suspect was a “soldier” and has taken claim for the attack.
"France is once again paying the price of blood, but will not cede an inch to enemies of freedom," President Emmanuel Macron said in response to the terror group's claim.
Toutes mes pensées vont aux victimes et aux blessés de l’attaque au couteau perpétrée ce soir à Paris, ainsi qu’à leurs proches. Je salue au nom de tous les Français le courage des policiers qui ont neutralisé le terroriste (1/2).
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 12, 2018
The area has been contained and the situation is under control, according to Paris police.
🔴 Agression dans le 2ème arrondissement de Paris le préfet de Police, Michel Delpuech, tient à assurer les victimes et leurs familles de son soutien. Il s’est par ailleurs entretenu avec les policiers ayant neutralisé l’assaillant pour saluer leur action.
— Préfecture de police (@prefpolice) May 12, 2018
Eyewitnesses shared their account of the incident on social media.
1) I came out of a comedy show near Opera in central Paris and was immediately told to go back in because there was a madman with a knife. Once back inside we heard sirens and 2 gun shots. I then spoke to eyewitnesses who told me a man stabbed multilple people at random. pic.twitter.com/xvTmAv0ckb
— Charles Pellegrin (@ChPilgrim) May 12, 2018
2) the eyewitnesses then told me police tried to tazer the attacker. This did not work, so they fired two shots. Police have now set up a perimeter and say the situation is under control. Ambulances are rushing to the scene.
— Charles Pellegrin (@ChPilgrim) May 12, 2018
Media reports 4 injured, including 2 seriously (@BFMTV )
— Charles Pellegrin (@ChPilgrim) May 12, 2018
The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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