Jan. 07, 2015 Terror hits France: Horrific terrorist attack leaves 12 dead

Jan. 07, 2015

Terror hits France: Horrific terrorist attack leaves 12 dead

(Photo: Martin Bureau, AFP/Getty Images)

اقتباس :: LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online): Armed with Kalashnikovs, the gunmen forced Cartoonist Corine Rey, at gunpoint, to allow the men in the building, according to the weekly Humanite.

"It lasted about five minutes," cried Rey according to France24. "I took cover under a desk. They spoke perfect French... they said they were Al Qaida"
According to witnesses, the attackers were heard shouting "Allahu Akbar," meaning "God is great."

One of the attackers shouted "prophet was avenged," according to French Europe 1 radio.

The two armed, gunmen were photographed facing police officers. (Photo: Anne Gelbard, AFP/Getty Images)
After gunning down the magazine office, the two gunmen reportedly walked calmly away from what police described as "carnage," exchanged fire with police officers, got in their vehicle and drove away, later abandoning the car.

"France raised its security alert to the highest level and reinforced security at houses of worship, stores, media offices and transportation," according to USA Today.

(Photo: Etienne Laurent, European Pressphoto Agency)
French President Francois Hollande marked the attack as "undoubtedly a terrorist attack," and admitted several other terror attacks had been stopped in weeks prior.

According to reports, Charbonnier had been in a very public feud with ISIS on the eve of the attack.

President Obama stated, the U.S. will "provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice."

One of the victims is taken out on a stretcher. (Photo: Martin Bureau, AFP/Getty Images)
This may be the deadliest attack on French soil since 1995's wave of train bombings, according to USA Today.

France's terror alert level is raised to the highest level, according to Hollande.

"We need to find the actors of this terrorist act," Hollande said to CNN Paris. "They must be arrested and brought before judges and condemned as quickly as possible. France is shocked today."

French President Hollande arrived on site "France is shocked today." (Photo: Etienne Laurent, European Pressphoto Agency)
In addition to the 12 dead, eight people were wounded, including four in critical condition, Interior Minister Berenard Cazeneuve said to CNN Paris.

"No barbarous act will ever extinguish freedom of the press," Hollande exclaimed. "We are a united country."