Breaking news out of France where we’re seeing reports of three passengers injured after a man armed with a gun and knives opened fire on a train travelling between Amsterdam and Paris:
Gunman wounds three people on train in northern France before being overpowered by passengers – rail officials http://t.co/KxwL3TWXG7
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 21, 2015
And according to the Telegraph, the gunman was armed with a Kalashnikov and the passengers who took him down were U.S. Marines:
https://twitter.com/BklynMiddleton/status/634789619498921984
https://twitter.com/BklynMiddleton/status/634790034277838848
US #Marines heard him loading the rifle & prevented slaughter. Gunman injures three after firing Kalashnikov on train http://t.co/K6qzV0xBNs
— Ben Lovegrove (@BensBookmarks) August 21, 2015
Boom.
Updates to follow.
Update 3:37. AFP reports that the suspect is of Moroccan origin and known to French intelligence sources:
"The suspect, of Moroccan origin, is known to intelligence services, AFP reports." #TGV #Thalyshttp://t.co/VJXjyggCOd
— Maja Mischke ?☕✒ (@MajaMischke) August 21, 2015
Update 5:13. One of the two Americans who stopped the attack was seriously wounded:
MORE: French minister says two Americans subdued train gunman, one was seriously wounded: http://t.co/BpEc9OTCHF
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 21, 2015
Hero US marine who prevented terrorist train massacre 'in critical condition' – praised for 'extreme bravery' http://t.co/YSwfiaUBau
— Diana Allocco (@dianamee) August 21, 2015
From the AP:
Cazeneuve said the American passengers “were particularly courageous and showed great bravery in very difficult circumstances” and that “without their sangfroid we could have been confronted with a terrible drama.”
A second person was also seriously wounded in the attack, while a third is being treated for minor injuries.
Update 5:26. Confirmed as a member of the U.S. military:
US European Command confirms American injured helping over-power #ArrasTrain attacker is member of US military.
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) August 21, 2015
Update 5:38. Who could’ve predicted this one?
Gunman who injured 3 on French train was Islamist militant, officials say. http://t.co/TiuOU4IKga
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) August 21, 2015