This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/gunmen-storm-paris-satirical-newspaper-killing-at-least-11/2015/01/07/f358b17a-9660-11e4-aabd-d0b93ff613d5_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Gunmen storm Paris satirical newspaper, killing at least 12 Gunmen storm Paris satirical newspaper, killing at least 12
(about 1 hour later)
Masked gunmen opened fire Wednesday in the offices of a satirical newspaper in Paris that had faced previous threats for Muslim-related cartoons, killing at least 12 people before escaping in what France’s president described as a terrorist attack. PARIS — Masked gunmen opened fire Wednesday in the offices of a French satirical newspaper known for provocative content on Islam, killing at least 12 people and then escaping after carrying out the country’s bloodiest terrorist attack in decades.
French officials immediately raised the country’s terrorism alert to its highest level and launched a massive manhunt for the suspected assailants who stormed the newspaper Charlie Hebdo — where the Arabic cry of “Allahu Akbar” could be heard amid the gunfire, according to video posted by France’s state-run broadcaster. France immediately was put on its highest security alert amid a massive manhunt for the three suspected assailants who stormed the newspaper Charlie Hebdo — where the Arabic cry of “Allahu Akbar” could be heard amid the gunfire, according to video posted by France’s state-run broadcaster.
France’s top security official said three gunmen carried out the shootings — the country’s bloodiest terrorist attack in nearly two decades.
Across Paris, meanwhile, security was stepped up at media outlets, transportation hubs and other key sites. The attack also is likely to raise calls for tougher crackdowns on suspected extremists.Across Paris, meanwhile, security was stepped up at media outlets, transportation hubs and other key sites. The attack also is likely to raise calls for tougher crackdowns on suspected extremists.
French President Francois Hollande called the shootings a “terrorist attack without a doubt,” but authorities had no immediate comment on possible suspects or motives. Among the dead was the newspaper’s well-known editor, Stephane Charbonnier, the broadcaster France 24 reported.
“A terrorist attack without a doubt,” said French President Francois Hollande.
“Journalists and police officers have been cowardly assassinated . . . France is in a state of shock after this terrorist attack,” Hollande said after visiting the scene.“Journalists and police officers have been cowardly assassinated . . . France is in a state of shock after this terrorist attack,” Hollande said after visiting the scene.
The weekly had drawn repeated threats for its caricatures of the Prophet Muhammed and other sketches and articles on Muslim figures. Authorities had no immediate comment on possible suspects or motives. But French media quoted witnesses as saying the assailants yelled, “We have avenged the prophet” in apparent reference to cartoons in the newspaper depicting the prophet Muhammad.
Just hours before the attack, the magazine on its Twitter account posted a cartoon entitled “Still No Attacks in France” depicting Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi giving a New Year’s greeting. Only hours before the attack, the magazine’s Twitter account carried a cartoon entitled “Still No Attacks in France” depicting Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi giving a New Year’s greeting.
“Just wait,” the drawing shows a fighter saying. “We have until the end of January to present our New Year’s wishes.”“Just wait,” the drawing shows a fighter saying. “We have until the end of January to present our New Year’s wishes.”
The cover of the newspaper’s latest edition also notes the release of a book, “Submission,” a fictional account of France led by an Islamic party that imposes strict codes such as banning women from the workplace. The cover of the newspaper’s latest edition also notes the release of a lightning rod book, “Submission,” a fictional account of France led by an Islamic party that imposes strict codes such as banning women from the workplace.
Amateur footage broadcast on France 24 showed panicked employees of Charlie Hebdo scrambling onto the roof at the offices in the densely populated 11th arrondissement of Paris. Another video clip showed black-clad gunmen firing on a police officer on the sidewalk before escaping in a black car.
The assailants, according to French media accounts, later commandeered a vehicle at Porte de Pantin on the northeastern outskirts of Paris before fleeing to the suburbs.
“We heard a ‘boom boom,’” said a waiter at the nearby Le Poulairrer restaurant who asked to remain anonymous.
He described seeing at least two gunmen firing weapons. “We went outside in the alley and saw them shooting at the cops,” he said. “At first we thought it was a movie, but then we quickly ran back inside for fear of getting shot when we realized what was actually happening.”
The attack appeared to be well planned. It was staged at 11:30 a.m., coinciding with the newspaper’s editorial meeting when key members of the staff were scheduled to be in one place.
In his end-of-year address last week, Hollande raised concerns about “rising, worrying threats” of terrorism and growing intolerance in France, which is home to Europe’s largest Muslim population.In his end-of-year address last week, Hollande raised concerns about “rising, worrying threats” of terrorism and growing intolerance in France, which is home to Europe’s largest Muslim population.
A police official, Luc Poignant, told the Associated Press that the attackers escaped in two vehicles. Concern also has been mounting over the hundreds of French nationals who have gone to Syria and Iraq to join Islamic militants, including the Islamic State. In May, Mehdi Nemmouche, a 29-year-old French national, opened fire in a Jewish museum in Brussels, killing four people.
Top government officials, meanwhile, planned an emergency meeting. Hollande said that several other terror attacks have been thwarted “in recent weeks,” but gave no further details.
Paris prosecutor’s spokeswoman Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre, said 12 people were killed, the Associated Press reported. At least 20 others were injured, including four listed in critical condition, police said.Paris prosecutor’s spokeswoman Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre, said 12 people were killed, the Associated Press reported. At least 20 others were injured, including four listed in critical condition, police said.
Matthieu Lamarre, a spokesman for the Paris mayor’s office, said most of the dead were from the newspaper staff. At least one victim is a police officer, he said. Christophe Crepin, a police union spokesman, said the dead include 10 members of the newspaper staff and two police officers. One of the officers was shot in the head as he writhed wounded on the ground, Crepin said.
There was no immediate claim on responsibility, but messages of praise appeared on Web sites and other online forums linked to Islamist militants, said the Washington-based SITE monitoring group, which tracks extremist posts.There was no immediate claim on responsibility, but messages of praise appeared on Web sites and other online forums linked to Islamist militants, said the Washington-based SITE monitoring group, which tracks extremist posts.
The attack occurred just hours after the newspaper’s latest edition hit newsstands. Other witnesses described at least two hooded gunmen entering the offices. The newspaper’s irreverent style frequently pushed the envelope. It was already under regular police guard after being targeted in the past. It was firebombed in November 2011, a day after it published a caricature of the prophet Muhammad and ironically named him as its “editor and chief” for an upcoming issue.
Video carried by France 24 showed people scrambling onto a rain-slicked roof during the attack, the deadliest in France since 1995 when a string of bombings over several months were blamed on an Algerian rebel group. A total of eight people were killed in the attacks. The attack, however, did little to curb its appetite for Islamic satire. In 2012, the newspaper ignored calls for caution from high-ranking members of the French government and published more images of Muhammad. In one caricature, he was shown being pushed in a wheelchair by an Orthodox Jew in a reference to a hit French movie.
In 2011, the Charlie Hebdo offices were firebombed in apparent response to a cover cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad, which it described as a “guest editor.” The fire caused no injuries, but caused significant damage to the offices. “This terrorist attack marks a black day in the history of France,” said a statement by the media freedom group Reporters Without Borders.
The newspaper published other Muhammad caricatures that draw denunciations around the Islamic world. The last major terrorist attacks in France took place in 1995 with a string of bombings over several months were blamed on an Algerian rebel group. A total of eight people were killed in the attacks.
But there have been repeated violence linked to tensions between France’s secular traditions and its growing Muslim population, which claims it often faces discrimination.
Charlie Hebdo — whose name purportedly borrows from Charlie Brown of the “Peanuts” cartoon strip — began publication in 1992 with staff member reunited from a previous satirical publication that closed in the early 1980s.Charlie Hebdo — whose name purportedly borrows from Charlie Brown of the “Peanuts” cartoon strip — began publication in 1992 with staff member reunited from a previous satirical publication that closed in the early 1980s.
It has lampooned a range of subjects, including popes, presidents, entertainers and others in addition to occasional pieces of serious journalism such as investigative stories. One cover depicted an Orthodox Jew kissing a Nazi soldier; another showed former Pope Benedict XVI dancing with a member of the Swiss Guard.It has lampooned a range of subjects, including popes, presidents, entertainers and others in addition to occasional pieces of serious journalism such as investigative stories. One cover depicted an Orthodox Jew kissing a Nazi soldier; another showed former Pope Benedict XVI dancing with a member of the Swiss Guard.
But its irreverent treatment of Islamic subjects has brought the harshest response.But its irreverent treatment of Islamic subjects has brought the harshest response.
“Muhammad isn’t sacred to me,” Chief editor Stephane Charbonnier, who publishes under the pen name “Charb,” told the AP in 2012. “I don’t blame Muslims for not laughing at our drawings. I live under French law. I don’t live under Quranic law.” “Muhammad isn’t sacred to me,” the editor Charbonnier, who published under the pen name “Charb,” told the AP in 2012. “I don’t blame Muslims for not laughing at our drawings. I live under French law. I don’t live under Quranic law.”
In Washington, President Obama denounced the “horrific” shooting and said U.S. officials were ready to provide any assistance to help “bring these terrorists to justice.”In Washington, President Obama denounced the “horrific” shooting and said U.S. officials were ready to provide any assistance to help “bring these terrorists to justice.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron called the attack “sickening.” British Prime Minister David Cameron called the attack “sickening,” and German Chancellor Angela Merkel denounced it as “vile.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stolenberg condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with France.NATO Secretary General Jens Stolenberg condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with France.
“This was a barbaric act and an outrageous attack on press freedom,” he said in a statement from NATO headquarters in Brussels.“This was a barbaric act and an outrageous attack on press freedom,” he said in a statement from NATO headquarters in Brussels.
Griff Witte and Karla Adam in London and Katie Zezima in Washington contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Washington and Faiola from Berlin. Karla Adam in London and Katie Zezima in Washington contributed to this report.