French police shoot and kill suspect in synagogue fire

French police fatally shot a man Friday, May 17, who was suspected of setting a synagogue on fire in Rouen, about 80 miles northwest of Paris. According to authorities, the man, armed with a knife and an iron bar, charged at officers responding to the synagogue.

An officer fired at the assailant, resulting in his death.

France’s Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, praised the police for their quick action and bravery.

À Rouen, les policiers nationaux ont neutralisé tôt ce matin un individu armé souhaitant manifestement mettre le feu à la synagogue de la ville. Je les félicite pour leur réactivité et leur courage.

— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) May 17, 2024

“In Rouen, national police officers neutralized early this morning an armed individual clearly wanting to set fire to the city’s synagogue,” Darmanin said on X. “I congratulate them for their responsiveness and courage.”

Rouen Mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol expressed that the synagogue attack has deeply impacted not only the congregation but the whole city.

“It is not only the Jewish community that is affected. It is the entire city of Rouen that is bruised and in shock,” Mayer-Rossignol wrote on X.

The fire was placed under control.

While the motive of the suspect remains unknown, the incident occurs amidst an increase in antisemitic incidents in France since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.