A Greek-Orthodox priest was shot and seriously wounded in the French city of Lyon, on Saturday afternoon. The assailant fled and the victim was transferred to the nearest hospital.
The priest was preparing to close the church at 04:00 pm Saturday local time, when he was shot with what it reportedly seemed a hunting rifle. According to news agency amna, he was shot twice.
🔴 #Lyon : un homme blessé par balle rue St-Lazare dans le 7e arrondissement, dans des circonstances encore obscures. Le tireur serait en fuite. Le secteur actuellement bouclé par les #policiers @lyonmag pic.twitter.com/8RUoFFXDNi
— Julien Damboise (@JDANDOU) October 31, 2020
The attack took place in the St-Lazare street in the 7th arrondissement, the area of Place Jean-Mace.
The French Interior Ministry has warned citizens to avoid the area and follow authorities’ instructions.
🔴 #ALERTE | Un événement est en cours à proximité du secteur Jean-Macé, dans le 7ème arrondissement à #Lyon.
Les forces de sécurité et de secours sont sur place. Un périmètre de sécurité a été installé.
⚠️ Évitez le secteur et suivez les consignes des autorités. pic.twitter.com/ZZxeTADcAF— Ministère de l’Intérieur – Alerte (@Beauvau_Alerte) October 31, 2020
According to Greek state broadcaster ERT, police investigates the motive of the attack and whether it is linked to the recent attacks by fanatics in France.
The Greek-Orthodox priest is reportedly a Greek national.
His condition is considered “critical” and he has been shot in the abdomen.
The church is of Evangelismos Theotokoy on Rue d’ Athen.
Ο ναός του Ευαγγελισμού της Θεοτόκου στη Λυών, στην οδό Αθηνών (Rue d’Athènes).
Η φωτο. από google maps pic.twitter.com/6tGbPQHbDE— Nikos Sarantakos (@nikosarantakos) October 31, 2020
France’s Prime Minister and the Interior Minister to convene for another crisis meeting in Paris after the priest’s shooting in Lyon, in the South-East of the country.
BREAKING – Massive manhunt for the terrorist who shot an Orthodox priest in a Greek church in #Lyon is now underway.pic.twitter.com/zBhYOzRNst
— Disclose.tv 🚨 (@disclosetv) October 31, 2020
Some Greek media report that the assailant fled on foot.
According ot latest information, the priest is 52 years old and a father of two. He is from Chania, Crete.
Media reported late on Saturday evening that police has arrested one man “of Mediterranean appearance”. the man was arrested in a kebab shop in the city.
No further details have been published, so far.
