Two individuals, including a British national, were injured and one German national was fatally wounded in a knife and mallet attack on a street in the heart of Paris.
The assault took place in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower just prior to 21:00 local time (or 20:00 GMT) on Saturday.
Following the apprehension of a 26-year-old Frenchman, anti-terrorism prosecutors initiated an inquiry. The suspect, according to prosecutor Jean-Francois Ricard, swore allegiance to the Islamic State.
Mr. Ricard stated on Sunday at a briefing that the suspect Armand R, a French national born to Iranian parents in France, made the oath in a social media video.
According to the prosecutor, he converted to Islam at the age of eighteen and was sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 for plotting to travel to Syria and join IS.
He was reportedly undergoing treatment for psychiatric issues, according to the police.
Regarding the suspect's alleged extremism, Mr. Ricard further stated that three of his associates, including family members, had been detained for interrogation. Previously, it was disclosed that the nurse-turned-victim of the assault on Saturday night was a German tourist.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin of France stated that the victim was gravely stabbed on Quai de Grenelle while accompanied by his spouse. According to him, a taxi driver's intervention spared the life of the suspect's wife, and the assailant fled across a nearby bridge that spans the River Seine.
He attacked two more individuals after crossing to the north bank of the river: a 66-year-old British tourist and an approximately 60-year-old Frenchman who was struck in the eye with a mallet.
Police subsequently Tasered and arrested the suspect on suspicion of premeditated homicide, which is defined as assassination under French law, and attempted assassination in connection with a terrorist enterprise.
An online video appeared to capture the instant armed police apprehended the suspect in close proximity to the location of the attack. Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau informed French media on Sunday that the two injured individuals, who were treated by emergency services, were "in excellent health."
According to Mr. Darmanin, the alleged assailant was overheard proclaiming "Allahu Akbar," which translates to "God is foremost" in Arabic.
He also expressed his displeasure to the police that "so many Muslims are dying in Afghanistan and Palestine." Additionally, it is believed that the suspect implied France was involved in the Palestinian fatalities in Gaza.
Sources reported that on Saturday, the suspect uploaded a video to social media in which he criticised the French government and discussed what he claimed to be the assassination of innocent Muslims.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences to all those impacted by the "terrorist attack" and thanked the emergency services for their swift action via social media platform.
He stated, "In the name of the French people, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office will now be liable for shedding light on this matter in order to achieve justice."
It occurs less than two months after a knife attack at a secondary school in the northern city of Arras claimed the life of a teacher, prompting the French government to issue the country's highest national security alert.
