Charlie Hebdo Suspects Killed In Police Shoot Out
- Details
- Category: World News - Europe
- Published on Friday, 09 January 2015 09:57
- Written by Janet Walker
The two brothers suspected of the slaughter of 12 affiliated with the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo, and wounding 11 others in the worst act of terrorism in more than two decades, have been killed.
In a breaking story, more than 80,000 police assisted in the manhunt that began Wednesday in the 11th arrondissement on the left bank of the French capital when two masked gunmen burst into the office and systematically murdered Charlie Hebdo editor Stephane Charbonnier.
Two police officers, four of the nation's top cartoonists, contributors, guests and workers inside the office of the weekly magazine known for shocking and crude depictions of the world religious leaders were also victims.
French intelligence has since reveled Said Kouachi was known to both the United States and French counter-intelligence, and was on the nation's no fly list, had spent time in prison and had ties to al-Qaida affiliates in Yemen. His brother, Cherif Kouachi, did not have militant or extremists ties. The two, practiced Muslim, and were reportedly orphaned as children.
The manhunt was immediate and was as intense as the global outpouring of solidarity identifed by three words, Je Suis Charlie, that become the rallying cry for the murdered journalists, for free press and freedom of expression.
In the three days since the horrific carnage, French police staged several raids in and around Paris arresting those suspected to have terror ties.
The brothers drove a Black Citroen C3 to the Charlie Hebdo offices where a neighbor filmed the graphic and violent cold blooded murder of an in response wounded police officer.
After they ditched the car used during the mid-morning bloodbath and in what has been described as break, one of the brothers identification had fallen on the floor of the vehicle and was found.
Carjacking a second vehicle the two drove approximately fifty miles or 80km toward the denser French countryside to the town of Dammartin-en-Goele, and closer to escape through unmanned border checkpoints.
The chase ended when the pair out of money, gasoline, tired and aware of their situation robbed a convenience store where they were recognized and immediately reported.
Elite French terror teams were dispatched to Dammartin-en-Goele near Charles De Gaulle airport International Airport. The two took a female hostage and barricaded themselves inside a factory.
The standoff ultimately lead to a gun battle, where multiple rounds were exchanged and the two were killed. The third suspect turned himself in on Wednesday as his name was mentioned on social media. He was questioned and released.
This is a developing story.
