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Paris police attacker had suffered 'psychotic fit', says wife Paris police attacker had suffered 'psychotic fit', says wife
(about 2 hours later)
The wife of a police employee who killed four colleagues at the Paris force's HQ says he had a psychotic episode, was incoherent and heard voices the night before, reports say.The wife of a police employee who killed four colleagues at the Paris force's HQ says he had a psychotic episode, was incoherent and heard voices the night before, reports say.
Mickaël Harpon, 45, was shot dead by police at the scene.Mickaël Harpon, 45, was shot dead by police at the scene.
His wife, who is in police custody but not charged, told police that he had a disagreement with his bosses, according to French media.
French officials are trying to establish a motive for the killings.French officials are trying to establish a motive for the killings.
Harpon's wife has been taken into custody, although the Paris prosecutor's office says she has not been charged. Police union officials have also suggested that Harpon may have been involved in a workplace dispute.
Police union officials have suggested that Harpon may have been involved in a workplace dispute.
His wife has apparently told police that he had a disagreement with his bosses and felt his work was unappreciated. Harpon was also described as 70% deaf.
The killings came a day after police went on strike across France over increasing violence towards officers.The killings came a day after police went on strike across France over increasing violence towards officers.
Witnesses described scenes of panic, with many people fleeing the building in tears. The area in the île de la Cité was sealed off. A minute's silence was held by police HQ in Paris on Friday in memory of the four staff members who died.
Police shared a photo of the gathering on Twitter, calling it a "moment of contemplation" that was "deeply moving".
What happened?What happened?
At about 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT; 12:00 BST), the attacker is said to have gone into the building and straight to his office where he began attacking colleagues with a knife. At about 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT; 12:00 BST), the attacker is said to have gone into the building and straight to his office where he began attacking colleagues with a kitchen 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.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.
Three men and one woman were killed, Paris prosecutor Rémy Heitz told reporters.Three men and one woman were killed, Paris prosecutor Rémy Heitz told reporters.
A fifth person was critically injured in the attack, and was sent for surgery. The building is near major tourist sites including Notre-Dame cathedral.A fifth person was critically injured in the attack, and was sent for surgery. The building is near major tourist sites including Notre-Dame cathedral.
"Police were running around in panic," a witness who was inside the courtyard at the time of the attack told Le Parisien newspaper."Police were running around in panic," a witness who was inside the courtyard at the time of the attack told Le Parisien newspaper.
"I was surprised to hear shooting because this is not a place where you hear that kind of thing. I first thought it was a suicide because there are a lot of those at the moment," he added."I was surprised to hear shooting because this is not a place where you hear that kind of thing. I first thought it was a suicide because there are a lot of those at the moment," he added.
President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner have all visited the site.
Who was the attacker?Who was the attacker?
According to the interior minister, Harpon was a 45-year-old IT specialist who had worked for the Paris police force for 16 years. According to Interior Minister Christophe Castaner, Harpon was a 45-year-old IT specialist who had worked for the Paris police force for 16 years.
Officials said he had been working in the force's intelligence division.Officials said he had been working in the force's intelligence division.
Mr Castaner said there had been no warning signs about the attacker, adding: "On the face of it, he looked a model employee."Mr Castaner said there had been no warning signs about the attacker, adding: "On the face of it, he looked a model employee."
Harpon also had a hearing and a speech disability.Harpon also had a hearing and a speech disability.
He converted to Islam 18 months ago, according to reports, and had recently stopped talking to female colleagues in the office. But a government spokeswoman has said there is no indication he had been radicalised before the attack.He converted to Islam 18 months ago, according to reports, and had recently stopped talking to female colleagues in the office. But a government spokeswoman has said there is no indication he had been radicalised before the attack.
Police have searched his home in the north of the city. Police have searched his home in the north of the city and found no evidence that he was radicalised.
Computer equipment seized from Harpon's home is now being examined, French media report.
There were tensions between the knifeman and his supervisor, according to police union official Christophe Crépin.There were tensions between the knifeman and his supervisor, according to police union official Christophe Crépin.
"I do not think this is a terrorist act," Mr Crépin, who knew the attacker, told Franceinfo Radio."I do not think this is a terrorist act," Mr Crépin, 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."Police union leader Jean-Marc Bailleul described it as a criminal act, telling BFMTV: "It was a moment of madness."
The attack follows a rare nationwide police strike on Wednesday, which saw thousands of officers demonstrating in Paris over working hours, shortages in resources and controversial pension reforms.The attack follows a rare nationwide police strike on Wednesday, which saw thousands of officers demonstrating in Paris over working hours, shortages in resources and controversial pension reforms.
Police unions say there have been more than 50 suicides by police officers since the start of the year.Police unions say there have been more than 50 suicides by police officers since the start of the year.
They blame the rising numbers on difficult working conditions and increasing violence towards police.They blame the rising numbers on difficult working conditions and increasing violence towards police.